Michael Clarke

[Pup]

Been announced that Michael Clarke will captain his country in the 20/20 game next week against New Zealand.

Is he the next captain in all forms? I think it is pretty well locked in unless something terrible happens to Clarke or someone rises from the ashes. Whats everyone elses thoughts on this issue?

[GWW]

Given that captains are generally batsmen and all our top 6 are all roughly around Ponting's age except for Clarke, he probably is the best (and maybe only realistic) option. He presumably would have had some leadership roles in junior years and appears to be have an attacking nature which is looked upon favourably as far as captaincy candidates are concerned.

So yeah, hes almost a certainty.

[rod_rooster]

I think he is a perfect captain. He will become one of our greats.

[Pup]

I think my opinion is already known, but just to make it clear i think he is going to be a wonderful captain.

[RoosterMarty]

I read an interesting article on the CA site earlier regarding this. Pup thought the phone call from Andrew Hilditch was bad news, he thought he was going to be dropped! Instead, he gets told he will captain his country for the first time. Good luck to him.

[Hazbeen]

I hope there is a clause in the Captaincy that says Pup must bring his hot missus (Lara Bingle) along to every match and have her sit in the stands in a bikini so the cameras can have on the big screen every time he does something.

[am Bays]

U/19s World Cup captain in 2001, Made captain for the tour fixture as a 20 yo before the 1st test v Bangladesh in 2003

has been earmarked as a future Australain captain since the junior grades....

[NFC]

I think he will end up being one of our best batsmen, and will end up being a great captain, BUT I don't agree with this. I think it's only fair Hussey is given the job. I know he didn't do well against NZ but we were missing Ponting, Gilchirst and Lee, so really it was always going to be tough. I really like Clarke and I love watching him play but I would've gone for Hussey even though Clarke is our next long term captain.

[blink]

I think you'd find that had this match been an ODI rather than just a Twenty20 fixture, Hussey or Gilchrist probably would have been appointed captain.

I guess the selectors thought that this one off Twenty20 is a great oppurtunity to give Clarke a bash.

Good luck to him