Hayden says Clarke's leadership during Ashes escaped scrutiny

Former Australian Test batsman Matthew Hayden has criticised Australian captain Michael Clarke, saying that Clarke's leadership during the Ashes series had escaped scrutiny.

According to News.com.au, Hayden had recently attacked sacked cricket coach Mickey Arthur also, saying that Arthur had 'no right to have an opinion' on the culture of the national team.

Slamming Clarke's statement that he would not be defined by the Ashes series, Hayden, who played 103 Tests for Australia at an average of 50.73, said that such statements does not suit him as he is the captain of Australia.

According to Hayden, Clarke's predecessors like Allan Border, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh and Adam Gilchrist would have said that the team would not lose on their watch as they are captains, although he praised Clarke as an excellent captain with strong leadership qualities.

Backing under-fire all-rounder Shane Watson, Hayden also said that although Watson is a quirky individual, he however, is a fine player and has a good place and presence in the side, for which he urged Watson's critics to 'lay off him a bit'.