MICHAEL CLARKE insists he will make all the on-field calls in the fifth Ashes Test after revelations that injured skipper Ricky Ponting will sit with the team in the SCG dressing rooms.
Clarke, making his first outing as Test captain today, said he would float ideas with the 152-Test veteran, but affirmed he would be in charge despite Ponting watching over his shoulder.
''Ricky's made that very clear. Once I take that field, the decisions will come from me,'' Clarke said.
''Ricky being around throughout this Test match is a great thing for all the players, especially for me to have this chance to be captain. I can run things by him.''
The first Test of 2011 represents a fresh start, with not only a new skipper but two debutants in No. 3 batsman Usman Khawaja and left-arm spinner Michael Beer.
Ponting was giving plenty of advice to Khawaja and doing throwdowns with Clarke in the SCG nets yesterday, but the new captain was not bothered by Ponting's presence.
''Oh, no, I'm very comfortable,'' Clarke said. ''I spoke to Ricky openly when I found out he wasn't going to play this Test match and actually asked how he felt about being around.
''I've been getting help and advice from Ricky all through my career. As a mentor, coach, captain and player, he's as good as anyone in the world.
''Ricky Ponting will be back, hopefully sooner rather than later. He's been a great leader for Australia and has captained all 68 of my Test matches and I certainly see him coming back and captaining Australia as soon as he's fit.''
Clarke could not even be sure he was the natural successor for the role. ''I've absolutely no idea,'' he said. ''Like I've said before, the selectors, the board, they'll make that decision when they have to.''
Australia, trailing 2-1, will attempt to draw the series at a venue that has delivered some memorable contests in recent years, including last-gasp wins over India (2008), South Africa (2009) and the contentious victory over Pakistan last year.
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