Michael Clarke opens up on Aussie Ashes dilemma

FORMER Aussie captain Michael Clarke has given Steve Smith a serve as the current skipper battles through a media storm.

Michael Clarke has taken aim at Steve Smith. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

MICHAEL Clarke has whacked Australian cricket ahead of the Ashes in a spray slamming skipper Steve Smith.

The former Aussie captain, who was the last man to lead the Aussies to a home-soil Ashes win in 2013/14, took his successor to task over a number of decisions made in preparation of the anticipated series.

Smith recently came under fire from former players for his questionable moves as captain in the national team. Former fast bowler Rodney Hogg claimed the 27-year-old was “picking his mates” after a disastrous tour of the subcontinent saw the Aussies slip down to fifth on the ICC Test rankings.

He was also given a serve for having a hand in dropping former Test star and Sheffield Shield gun Ed Cowan from the NSW team to make room for national representatives on the batting order.

Clarke continued Smith’s run of criticism and scolded Smith’s handling of Australia’s wicketkeeping conundrum as the home side remains uncertain about who will take the gloves come November 23rd.

“He shouldn’t have been dropped,” he said on Channel Nine’s Sport Sunday.

“(It was a) complete circus what happened after the South African series. They dropped Nevill and made that tough decision. Now they have to go with Matthew Wade.”

Michael Clarke backs David Warner’s stance on giving the Poms hell in the field.

Despite slamming Australia’s choice to drop Nevill, Clarke backed Wade as Australia’s first-pick gloveman for the series.

The 36-year-old also said Smith’s request to have Nevill talk more behind the stumps was farcical.

“That’s a load of rubbish. It’s not what you say. You’ve got to be good with the gloves. Steve Smith again said this week in a press conference that if Peter Nevill is to come back into the side he would like to hear more from him.”

CLARKE’S DRESSING ROOM ADMISSION

Clarke opened up on his time outside the Aussie squad, admitting he hasn’t stepped foot in the dressing room since hanging up the boots in 2015.

“I haven’t been back in since I retired,” Clarke said.

“It’s a respect thing for current players. I feel because I’m only a couple of years out of the game I don’t want to tread — I had my time there. I don’t know it’s not — you feel comfortable you know that you’re welcome back. It’s not the current players, you know wanting you or not. It’s not my space.

“I was a big one for asking past players and commentators back into the change room when I was captain. I never wanted to be that person but since I’ve retired I’ve been asked to go into the change room and I haven’t felt comfortable.”

Michael Clarke hasn’t been back to the rooms since he retired.

ON WARNER’S SLEDGING COMMENTS

Vice-captain David Warner caused a stir after calling on umpires to let sledging go during the upcoming summer of cricket.

The 30-year-old said he wanted “see it a bit like State of Origin” out in the middle but soon had his comments squashed by Smith.

“This is where communication is so important,” Clarke said. “David Warner has made it clear how he wants this Australian team to play.

“But if Steve Smith goes into first team meeting and says (no), this is how we’re playing, straightaway there’s two very clear differences of opinions of how they feel Australia is going to have success.

“So that can cause chaos in the change room. I actually, I agree with David Warner that the Australian team, especially with their fast bowlers need to play an aggressive positive brand of cricket. That’s how I think Australia can dominate and can with this Ashes series. Again, it’s not what you say. It’s what you do.”