Clarke defends dressing-room status

Michael Clarke has dismissed recent reports of a rift within the Australian dressing-room, and claims that he feels "a lot of respect" from his team-mates, despite suggestions that his position as heir apparent to Ricky Ponting is in doubt.

Clarke was forced to defend his public image in the wake of last week's 2-1 ODI series defeat by Sri Lanka, the first ever inflicted by the visitors on Australian soil. Clarke led the side in two of the three games, having also been in charge of an ODI defeat in India last month, and a Twenty20 defeat by Sri Lanka.

According to reports in the Australian media, Clarke's leadership and attitude were both called into question by his team-mates, who were reported to favour Western Australia's captain, Marcus North, as Ponting's deputy in the forthcoming Ashes - a claim that North himself denied last week.

Clarke, however, is adamant that his colleagues are behind him. "For the stuff in the change-room you'd have to ask the other guys, but I certainly feel the guys have shown me a lot of respect when I've had the opportunity to captain, and I've really enjoyed it," he said at a sponsor's function on Monday.

"I enjoyed the other night when Ricky [Ponting] wasn't there, and I'm really enjoying being vice-captain under Ricky Ponting."

Clarke added that he was unaware of the reports in the Australian press, which also featured an opinion poll in one weekend paper which stated that Cameron White was the public's favoured man to take over from Ponting. White had 29% support in the poll, compared to Clarke's 28%.

"Everyone is entitled to their opinion, it's important to be true to yourself, and true to who you are," said Clarke. "People will make their judgment, but I think as a team we need to continue to work together and improve our cricket in all three forms of the game and we feel we're in a good place.

"We're all heading in the one direction and we're looking forward to the summer."