Clarke will smash doubts over his leadership credentials: Nielsen
December 31st, 2010 - 1:46 pm ICT by ANIMelbourne, Dec 31 (ANI): Australia’s coach Tim Nielsen has said that Michael Clarke is a natural leader, and added that he will smash doubt over his leadership credentials from Test great Steve Waugh.
Waugh noted a perceived indifference towards Clarke as successor to injured Ricky Ponting, also floating new vice-captain Brad Haddin and Tim Paine as the men to take Australia forward from Ponting.
“Michael is a natural leader. He is a person who grabs people through his own performance, presents himself and drags people along with him. I am certain that is one of the major reasons he has been appointed captain of Australia while Ricky is not playing,” Nielsen said.
“We understand the character and leadership ability he has. His opportunity now is not to prove people wrong but prove to people he can take on this role, do it in a positive light. I think over the next few weeks people will see a different Michael Clarke,” he said.
Nielsen backed Clarke to lead by example as Ponting has in steering Australia to a Test record 48 wins, Fox Sports reports.
No untested leader enjoys public acceptance until they’ve proved themselves in battle, Nielsen argued. (ANI)
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Tags: australia, captain brad, coach, doubt, doubts, fox sports, grabs, indifference, leadership ability, leadership credentials, melbourne, michael clarke, natural leader, nielsen, public acceptance, ricky, steve waugh, test record, tim paine, vice captain