Clarke hits back at critics on TODAY

Michael Clarke has defended his captaincy of the Australian Test team on the TODAY show following the squad's series loss to Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

Clarke appeared on TODAY to speak about his new book The Captain's Diary, his wife Kyly and the trials of his position at the head of the Australian cricket team.

He said pundits who have attacked him over Australia's 2-0 loss to Pakistan should remember the team's previous triumphs including the Ashes victory over England.

However, he admitted the team needed to "learn lessons" after the defeat in the UAE.

"I want to see this team have success," he said.

He also said the criticism of his captaincy no longer hit him as hard as it used to.

"No doubt there's time you have to cop criticism but I think that's part and parcel of the job," he said.

"I'm as used to it as I guess I can be."

Sachin Tendulkar's controversial claim that Clarke was a better captain than Steve Waugh was also raised on the show.

Clarke brushed off the praise from the Indian cricket great, saying he understood Tendulkar had to sell his book.

He said it was equally important to ignore good press as it was bad.

"It's about trying to do your best," he said.

He praised his wife Kyly for her support during his career.