Injured Clarke defends absence from team in time of turmoil

Australian captain Michael Clarke has defended his absences from the team at a time when off-field leadership was desperately needed, saying that if he had not gone to London to use a special rehabilitation machine after re-injuring his back he would have risked his hopes of being fit for the Ashes.

As new coach Darren Lehmann wiped clean the slate in the hope of a trouble-free Ashes campaign, the off-field aspects of Clarke's captaincy have come under fire in the wake of Mickey Arthur's sacking, and the captain admitted the need to spend more time with his players was behind the decision to stand down as a selector, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

In particular, the report added, Clarke has been criticised for leaving the team during Australia's ill-fated ICC Champions Trophy to have treatment on his back in London, adding that he was not around to take his team in hand when they decided to go to a bar after their defeat by England, which prompted the infamous David Warner punching incident.

However, the skipper defended himself, saying that although he tried his best to stay with his men even though he was not playing, he, however had to undergo specialist treatment in London to give himself a chance to be right for the Ashes.

Clarke further stated that it was tough for him to watch the games on TV and talking to his players on the phone, adding that he would have loved to have been with the group even if he could not play.

However, the report said that although Clarke is indispensable as a batsman, with 2533 runs at 68.46 since taking over from Ricky Ponting as captain, and a bold, unselfish on-field strategist, but in his two years at the helm, he still has not brought the team together, and without his selection powers he will have a diminished role.

Meanwhile, Lehmann, who will retain Arthur's selection vote, gave the first insights into the culture he wants, saying that he will start with making the players have fun, adding that the enjoyment factor is a key for winning games.

Stating that he will make sure that the players grow their lives on and off the ground, Lehmann further said that it is important for the players to enjoy each other's company while they are away touring, and learn about themselves and the different cultures and people in their team.