Cricket: Former Australian coach John Buchanan tells Michael Clarke to follow Richie McCaw's example

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke toughs it out while former coach John Buchanan looks on during a boot camp in 2006. Photo/Getty.

Former Australian cricket coach John Buchanan has hit back at criticism from recently retired captain Michael Clarke, suggesting he improve his leadership skills by emulating the likes of recently retired All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.

Buchanan, who coached Australia between 1999 and 2007, was measured in his reply to views expressed in Clarke's book Ashes Diary 2015, in which Clarke said his dog Jerry could have steered Australia to success during the time Buchanan was in charge, such was the quality of the team.

Responding through an entry on his website on Saturday, Buchanan defended himself, and suggested Clarke could undergo some personal improvement, despite the fact the 34-year-old has retired from international cricket.

"Being a captain, coach, corporate leader is not easy," Buchanan wrote. "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."

As a contrast to Clarke's style, Buchanan went on to describe the qualities that made McCaw such a respected and successful leader.

"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. As captain, he led a team that performed at the highest level with a winning record verging on 90 per cent. As a leader, he inspired all those around him, and all those that followed him."

In his book, Clarke claimed Buchanan was not qualified to know anything about the baggy green as he never represented Australia, and added: "He's still living off the fact that he coached a team that anyone, even my dog Jerry, could have coached to world domination."

Buchanan, who played first class cricket for Queensland, responded by saying he was still able to appreciate the significance of the baggy green cap, and pointed to the special ceremonies he introduced which saw test debutants presented with their caps by former Australian cricketing greats.

"The role of the coach in this environment is such that the person is a leader, a manager, a mentor, a parent, a friend, at all different times, in different circumstances, and for different people - the art is to know when to adopt the correct role, and how to deliver it," Buchanan wrote.