Cricket: Clarke ready to prove leadership

Michael Clarke is well aware that captaining Australia is not a popularity contest.

Public polling has Clarke a long way from the nation's first choice as leader of the test team, but he has won the approval of the national selectors, the Cricket Australia board and, as Ricky Ponting so fervently attests, the dressing room.

Ponting's opinion is in sharp contrast to the divisive chatter that has floated around for some time about Clarke's perceived lack of popularity within the Australian test team.

Clarke will have much to prove to the nation as the new leader of the team.

But Ponting rounded on those who would suggest any kind of discord had seeped into the inner sanctum.

"There's absolutely no question about that, no question about that at all," said Ponting.

"Michael Clarke has been a great leader in the games he's played and captained for Australia in the past and this week he'll do a great job.

"All this dressing room stuff that's been in the media and been in the papers and stuff hasn't ever been around our rooms at all, so everyone he's played with and who will play under him this week, he'll have their total support, there's no doubt about that."

Clarke has been quizzed so often about his public perception that his stock line has become utterly instinctive, but it is true he has been hurt at times by certain critiques of his character.

"Everybody's entitled to their own opinion, it's great to see the board and CA continue to support me and give me this opportunity, so for me it's about doing whatever I can to help this team win this test match and level this Ashes series," said Clarke.

"It's part and parcel of what we do now as a professional cricketer these days, you spend a lot of time in the media, so for me I've I guess copped criticism throughout my whole career and it's no different now."

One thing Clarke can be sure of is that the captaincy will not be his for long if he does not find a way to help his team win - it would help to make some runs.

"I make no bones about it, my form has not been good enough," he said.

"Throughout this series I think I've had a couple of innings where I've felt really good but I need to get out here and make sure I get some runs on the board."

Ponting counselled Clarke to ensure his own game was in order.

- AAP