Tuesday 11 August 2015 15:49, UK
Ryan Harris says claims of disharmony in the Australian camp are a "lie" and has issued a staunch defence of outgoing captain Michael Clarke.
Harris played no part in the Investec Ashes series defeat to England this summer after being forced into retirement by a chronic knee injury on the eve of the first Test.
The fast bowler has voiced his anger at the remarks of ex-Australia coach John Buchanan in particular, after he suggested Clarke allowed the 'Baggy Green' team culture to be eroded on his watch.
Clarke is to retire at the age of 34 after next week's final Test at The Oval, having, by his own admission, failed to do himself and his team justice as a batsman this summer.
"One that has angered me be a bit is John Buchanan - the way he came out and slammed him (Clarke)," Harris said.
"What John's got to probably realise is that when he had Michael Clarke he was 21, 22, 23 years old.
"We've all been there - we all know how we act at times when we're younger. He's a guy that came into a team full of absolute legends, and they took him under their wing.
There's not a meltdown in the Australian team. That's a lie. All these things I've been reading make me pretty angry.
"He would've felt pretty good, pretty special."
Much has changed since, and Harris added: "You're allowed to mature over life - that's what I've done, and that's what Michael Clarke has done.
"To hear John Buchanan come out and say that, an ex-coach, was very, very disappointing...to bash a guy after he's retired.
"It's just ridiculous - his life was the Baggy Green."
Harris does not recognise the depiction by some of Clarke.
"I played under Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke - two of the best captains I've played under, along with Darren Lehmann when I played with him.
"(Clarke) did a great job. There were times in the last few years when everyone thought Michael Clarke was gone - he was copping it on and off the field, and he'd stand up and put performances together that were just unbelievable.
"Us as a team, seeing our leader do that, it spurred the guys on."
Harris is also frustrated by claims that Clarke's tourists have not been getting along together this summer.
"There's not a meltdown in the Australian team, I can tell you that," he said. "That's a lie as well. All these things I've been reading make me pretty angry."
