Lehmann calls for Clarke celebration

Darren Lehmann has thrown his support behind Michael Clarke in the wake of heavy criticism directed at the outgoing captain ahead of his farewell Test at The Oval next week.

Clarke announced on Saturday that the fifth Ashes Test against England would be his last and his impending exit from the game has generated tributes from around the world for one of the best batsman of the 21st century.

READ: Clarke's 10 best centuries

VIEW: Cricket world reacts to Clarke retiring

But Clarke has also been on the receiving end of some negative comments in the media, notably from former teammates Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds as well as former coach John Buchanan.

Buchanan has claimed that the fabled Baggy Green culture, which he says was made special by some of Clarke's predecessors as captain, had "disappeared a bit" under the 34-year-old's leadership.

The former coach's comments follow Hayden's claim on Monday that Clarke "ruffled feathers" and Symonds's view that he was not a "natural leader" in the mould of former Test captains.

READ: Sutherland pays tribute to skipper

Lehmann took to Twitter on Monday to express his disappointment at the negative comments and call for the public to celebrate Clarke's decorated career.

Image Id: ~/media/CACF24B3E7F74E1E984C8CB30C1387DE

Clarke and Lehmann after winning the 2015 World Cup Final

Some of Clarke's other former teammates have been more positive in their assessment of Clarke, with pace legend Glenn McGrath saying the right-hander will be remembered as one of the best players of the modern game.

"He's up there. When he was on song with those double hundreds and that 300 in Sydney, that was as good as it gets," McGrath told cricket.com.au.

"He's always been highly regarded and he will be held that way.

"He's a good mate. He's done incredibly well, he still averages 50 with the bat which is exceptional.

"He's a very strong character, he runs his own race I guess you could say. It's sad to see him go but unfortunately time comes for all of us to hang the boots up."

Australian legends Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath have paid their respects to Michael Clarke after the skipper announced his retirement at Trent Bridge

There was high praise too from Clarke's former teammates long-time friend, Shane Warne.

"I think we have to think back to all the wonderful things Michael has done," Warne told cricket.com.au.

"It hasn’t worked out this series but just think back to the last two years; beating South Africa, 5-0 (against England) in Australia, winning the World Cup.

"And a lot of the players, the Steve Smiths, the Mitchell Johnson, the David Warners and company who we’ve all loved watching have all come under Michael’s leadership.

"He’s helped them, he’s taught them, and hopefully they’ll go and carry on the same way he liked to play.

"He’s had a wonderful career.

"He’ll go down as one of the great batsmen Australia’s ever had. And one of the best captains Australia’s ever had too."

READ: It started with a 6am text...

Smith, the man most likely to take over the leadership from Clarke, said he's learned plenty from the current captain.

"I'm sure he'll always be there for some support if I need it," Smith said.

"It's nice to be able to talk to him (during games) and learn different ways as to how we're trying to get the batters out and thinking ahead of the present.

"That's pretty important as a captain and something that he's done really well, and something I've been able to learn off on the job."

A very special Wide World of Sports look at the Test career of Australia's 43rd captain, Michael John Clarke