Buchanan, who has worked with Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting in his eight years as the team's coach, said Clarke, nicknamed "Pup", could be the top dog once Ponting's time was up.

"I see him growing as a person. He is obviously performing pretty well on the field," Buchanan said.

Ponting, 32, probably has up to four years left, by which time Clarke should have played about 70 Test matches and 200 one-day internationals and would be ready for the most prized role in Australian sport.

The 54-year-old coach, who will guide the World Champions for one last time in the Saturday's World Cup final, said Clarke was making right choices in that direction.

"He is associating himself with the right people. Chris White is his manager. No disrespect to people before him, but for Michael's future he needs to associate and be educated by the right people. I see him making those sort of choices," he was quoted as saying by 'The Australian'.

Clarke's continued development as a batsman was highlighted in the World Cup when he was entrusted with the number four spot, a position traditionally reserved for a pure strokemaker who can either force the pace or be a steadying influence when required.