Michael Clarke still has a lot to learn about leadership, says John Buchanan

Buchanan lead Australia to two World Cups and their first Champions Trophy as coach

Former Australian coach John Buchanan has hit back at Michael Clarke, who said even his dog could have coached Australia during their successful period between 1999 and 2007, on his website in a post titled 'Michael Clarke showing there is a lot to learn about being a leader and leadership’.

Buchanan wrote: “Being a captain, coach, corporate leader is not easy. Each is driven by a relentless passion to inspire others to succeed. The leadership skills that accompany these roles are demanding and complex.

“The opportunity to continue to learn these skills is always available, and hopefully Michael will continue to take these opportunities as they will be presented in his future life and careers.“

The former Australian coach also said that Clarke could learn a thing or two about leadership from Richie McCaw, New Zealand’s rugby captain, who retired recently after winning back-to-back World Cups with the All Blacks (AB).

“There would be precious few people around the world who would say that Richie McCaw did not distinguish himself on the field as well as off,” he wrote. “As captain, he led a team that performed at the highest level with a winning record verging on 90%. As a leader, he inspired all those around him, and all those that followed him and the ALL BLACKS, through his deeds and actions.

“As a person, he lived and breathed the values and principles of the ALL BLACKS, and ensured the legacy, begun over 100 years ago, was enhanced during the time that he spent in the company of the AB traditions and brand.”

Buchanan also admitted that while he had never represented Australia, he did his utmost to ensure that the players who do, remember that for the rest of their lives.

“In the context of the Australian Cricket team, Michael is indeed correct when he says I never wore the ‘baggy green’. My first Test as coach was November 1999 – the same match in which Adam Gilchrist (381) and Scott Muller (382) made their Test debuts.” he wrote.

“We ensured that such a moment was very special in the life of a cricketer, and so looked to always have cricket legends present a first cap. In Brisbane that year, it was Bill Brown. There were another 17 presentations in my time as coach including Michael Clarke’s first ‘baggy green’ (389) in Bangalore, India, October 2004.

“Each moment was designed to strengthen the role that the ‘baggy green’ symbol played in growing the aura of the Australian Cricket team . The debutant had now become part of history, tradition and values, and must honour those responsibilities.“