Perth: For some at Cricket Australia, the past couple of weeks haven't delivered the headlines they wanted. These largely have been driven by Michael Clarke's interpretation of events in his autobiography, detailing a team that often appeared fractured, whether that be late in the Ricky Ponting era or during Clarke's own captaincy.
Clarke's issues with Simon Katich and Shane Watson and the "homework" troubles of the 2013 tour of India, also detailed in Mitch Johnson's autobiography, highlighted a group of men at odds with each other.
![Australian captain Steve Smith likes to spend time with his teammates.](/web/20161105195035im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/g/c/x/7/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gsg3yt.png/1478065320624.jpg)
"A lot of people like reading the paper for the bad stuff, whatever it may be. Sport, news – people like reading the issues and stuff that has gone on," veteran quick Peter Siddle said.
"It's probably the best way to sell books."
There has been much work done to build a more harmonious culture since Steve Smith took charge after last year's Ashes series, and senior players have welcomed the opportunity to have a greater say, although Smith and coach Darren Lehmann remain the kingpins in a team still in transition.
Retired Test great – and former CA board director – Matthew Hayden made it clear after the losing winter series in Sri Lanka he felt Lehmann and team performance bosses were wielding too much influence – a claim CA rejected. Lehmann insists the "captain runs the ship ... right down to decisions on what time players meet up on the ground for a group warm-up before a day's play".
Heading into the new summer, beginning with the first Test against South Africa on Thursday, this Australian side insists it is united – but the pressure is building.
"We are all close mates and that's what I like about it," Siddle said. "The friendships are a big part of how the culture is. I think we are in a good place at the moment with the squad we have got."
Smith is often seen hanging out with teammates and enjoys building camaraderie that way. One recently retired player said Clarke too often separated himself from many of his teammates and this had not helped when times were tough.
In David Warner, Smith has a loyal vice-captain, one willing to help carry the load off the field in terms of helping teammates, allowing Smith to focus more on tactics. They may be different characters, as Warner points out – "he likes his crosswords, I don't like crosswords" – but their resolve is strong.
International Cricket Council anti-corruption laws forbid players from using their mobile phones in the dressing room until after the final ball of the day. Under Lehmann, the Australians are banned from turning on their phones until they get to the team bus in a bid to foster greater team spirit away from social media distractions.
"Smithy is a young captain, which can be hard, but I think the friendship he has with players and how he approaches the experienced guys in the team, he is always sourcing out information and knowledge from other guys," Siddle said.
"That's what makes good culture, when the boys are close. They can communicate between each other – I think that's the great thing with this group and the coaches we have around the side at the moment. There is plenty of knowledge around and plenty of blokes willing to learn – that is going to make for a strong side over the years."
That may be true but several players know they are on notice this summer – and it's when the pressure kicks in that team spirit can crack. Only Smith, Warner, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and probably Josh Hazlewood are guaranteed of featuring in all six Tests this summer, fitness permitting. Selection chairman Rod Marsh has made it clear to Mitch Marsh he needs a century, while Peter Nevill knows he is under pressure with the bat.
Usman Khawaja has made light of Rod Marsh's comments that he likes to sleep in, even joking he enjoys day-night Test cricket because it begins later in the day. But Khawaja, who always looks relaxed publicly, knows he needs a big score early.
Friction – and pressure – within a team isn't necessarily a bad thing. Lehmann has likened the Australian dressing room to the movie Con Air, starring Nicolas Cage and John Malkovich, because of its "dysfunctional and edgy environment", and sports psychologist Dr Michael Lloyd is used to help keep this dynamic under control. It's also worth noting how well England performed when the polarising Kevin Pietersen was in his pomp.
But Siddle, who has seen much since debuting in 2008, says the dynamic is better now among his teammates than it was three years ago.
"I think it is. When you have got younger guys, you are a little bit inexperienced. You need to ask questions, you need to learn from other guys, whether it's coaches, or senior guys around the group," he said.
"Sometimes you can get a bit stale with a senior team. You might be at a point where you think you can't learn any more but I think we are at a stage, I think we are starting from afresh in a way with the inexperienced blokes learning and blokes wanting to perform well.
"That is the exciting thing about this group and I think it makes it exciting for the senior guys to have these young, fresh blokes coming around and wanting to perform ... wanting to forge a great career for Australia."