Michael Clarke compares former Australian coach John Buchanan to his dog

Clarke feels he has already shown how much his 389 Baggy Green means to him

Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke has opened up against the criticism he received from former players Matthew Hayden, Andrew Symonds and former coach John Buchanan. The 34-year-old former cricketer has responded to these “pot shots” in his ‘Ashes Diary 2015’ which was released this week.

Clarkey announced retirement from international cricket after The Ashes this year and subsequently drew a lot of criticism. In return he has referred to the attacks as “low acts” apart from condemning the media for constantly lambasting his captaincy.

Michael Clarke believes even his dog could have coached the Aussies

Former Australian coach John Buchanan had said that the Baggy Green culture had disappeared under Clarke’s captaincy. Buchanan told NewsCorp, “Players like Steve Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting and others really tried to make the Baggy Green culture something special, but I could sense it was under threat and under Michael’s captaincy, I can sense it has disappeared a bit and that disappointed me.”

Pup strongly replied to his former coach’s allegation as he said, “I don’t think John knows a thing about the baggy green, having never worn one. He’s still living off the fact that he coached a team that anyone, even my dog Jerry, could have coached to world domination.”

If the team needed, Clarke would have jumped off Harbour Bridge

Matthew Hayden, who was once a very close friend of the former Australian captain, had criticized Clarke for not acting as per the team’s needs. Hayden had said. “I’ll never forget the day that Justin Langer couldn’t go bat-pad because he had head injuries. We needed someone and usually it goes to the youngest in the side. He (Clarke) said – ‘If I have to wear that, I will hand my baggy green back.’ Michael always had really strong opinions and sometimes they ruffled feathers, including mine.”

Clarke rubbished the allegation by saying that he valued his 389 Baggy Green so much that if it was needed, he would have even jumped off the Harbour Bridge. He said, “I think I’ve shown over the past 12 years how much I’ve valued representing my country and how much my 389 baggy green means to me. If Ricky had asked me to jump off the Harbour Bridge, I would have jumped. I loved playing for Australia that much.”

Clarke questions Symonds’ indiscipline

Another former friend of Clarke, Andrew Symonds questioned the 34-year-old’s leadership. Symo had said, “To me, he (Clarke) wasn’t as natural leader as we’ve had in the past. It was very easy to fall in behind a Steve Waugh or Ricky Ponting when asked to do something. They were the sort of men that didn’t need to say a great deal. Michael’s got a completely different style, which he’s entitled to. I didn’t play a great deal of cricket under him. I played quite a lot with him, but he’s got his style.”

Clarkey replied to Symonds’ criticism by pointing out how undisciplined his former teammate was. “Andrew Symonds went on TV to criticise my leadership. I’m sorry, but he is not a person to judge anyone on leadership. This is a guy who turned up drunk to play for his country. It’s pretty rich for him to be throwing rocks,” he said.