Clarke would be completely different as Oz captain to Ponting, says NSW coach

SYDNEY - New South Wales coach Matthew Mott, a temporary member of the Australian coaching staff during the 2010 Twenty20 World Cup, reckons that stand-in captain Michael Clarke would be “completely different” in style to Ricky Ponting.

Clarke was named captain after Ricky Ponting was ruled out of the match after x-rays on his broken finger showed that the fracture had moved during this week’s fourth Test loss at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“The way Michael handled himself, although his own form wasn’t as good as he would have liked, the way he led the side and expected other guys to lead with him, I think he’ll bring out the best in this side,” The Age quoted Mott, as saying.

“There’s a few young guys in there and they have a lot of respect for him, especially the NSW players that have seen him at close hand.”

“I’m sure he’ll lead them really well. He’ll be completely different, I think, to Ricky but that in itself should be good and it might be a one-off Test,” he added.

Australia currently trails the five-match series 2-1, with the fifth and final Test of the Ashes series, starting in Sydney on Monday. (ANI)