Michael Clarke: Why David Warner should be overlooked in search for leaders

·Contributor

4 December 2022 at 9:57 pm·3-min read

Michael Clarke, pictured here alongside David Warner and Steve Smith. — Michael Clarke believes Cricket Australia should look elsewhere than David Warner for its next leaders. Image: Getty

Australian cricket is staring at another potential captaincy drama following Pat Cummins' confusing decision to see out the first Test against the West Indies while less than 100 per cent. Cummins is awaiting scans on a thigh strain before a decision is made on whether he plays in the second Test against the West Indies in Adelaide, which starts Thursday.

The Australia skipper didn’t bowl in the second innings as the hosts wrapped up a 164-run win in Perth but surprised many by being out on the field despite not being at peak fitness. Steve Smith deputised while Cummins was off the field on Saturday and, as vice-captain, would appear the logical choice to step up should the captain failed to overcome his injury concerns before Thursday.

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But outside of Smith, there appears to be confusion and concern over who would be next cab off the rank if and when Cummins is unavailable in the future.

Michael Clarke doesn't see David Warner as captain

It comes as former captain Michael Clarke declared Cricket Australia needs to find the next generation of leaders – even if that means denying David Warner a shot at captaining Sydney Thunder in the BBL should his leadership ban be overturned.

"Tactically Davey is very good. I've watched him do the IPL and he's been brilliant – one of the best – but at 36 years of age, I'd be very surprised if they go that way," Clarke told Yahoo Sport Australia. "I think they've made it pretty clear what they feel. If you're fighting for Davey to be captain, it's for marketing reasons.

"I don’t think the BBL is the right opportunity for Davey to captain. I know he hasn't been campaigning but he hasn’t shut it off either. I think this story should disappear, fade away.

David Warner, pictured here with Australia coach Andrew McDonald. — David Warner (R) with Australia coach Andrew McDonald. (Photo by Quinn Rooney - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images) (Cricket Australia via Getty Imag)

"We should be promoting the youngsters as much as we can. We need to be finding leadership in our domestic cricket.

"There should be five, six, seven players that are in a position to take over a leadership role if it comes up. I'm not sure if we're working hard enough on that or see the importance of that."

Clarke is also stunned there is still uncertainty around the captaincy structure of our ODI team. He asked: "Who is the Australian vice-captain in one day cricket?

"The fact we don't even know is unbelievable. Can you imagine an Australian cricket team where you don't know the vice-captain?"

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