Michael Clarke has revealed the reason he believes he is not regarded as a beloved sporting figure.
Speaking on the Mental as Anyone podcast on Monday, the former Australian test cricket captain admitted that during his time on the pitch he was never completely embraced by cricket fans.
‘I think it’s fair to say that I polarised,’ said the 43-year-old.
Comparing himself to fellow popular Aussie cricketing greats Allan Border, Steve Waugh, and Mark Taylor, Clarke admitted his lifestyle outside of cricket set him apart from his predecessors.
‘I don’t think any of those three have tattoos or have an earring or dye their hair or, you know, played a handful of Test matches and wanted a Ferrari so went and bought a Ferrari.’
‘I did what I felt. [People believe] a 25-year-old kid from the western suburbs should be driving ute with a cattle dog drinking VB and I wanted a Ferrari so I went and bought one.’
‘Those decisions that I made that probably people didn’t agree with, fair enough as well.’
Michael was captain of the Australian cricket team in both tests and one day internationals between 2011 and 2015.
Speaking on the Mental as Anyone podcast on Monday, former Australian Cricket captain Michael Clarke, 43, admitted that, during his time on the pitch, he ‘polarised’ cricket fans. Pictured in 2019
He also served as captain of theTwenty20 International (T20I) side between 2007 and 2010 and eventually retired from the sport after the final Test of the 2015 Ashes series.
Michael also revealed to the podcast that he believes he has obsessive compulsive disorder, but has not been formally diagnosed.
‘I have never been checked, I think it is a given,’ he revealed.
‘It is like ADD, it’s a given. Definitely, ask my parents, you don’t need to take me to a doctor.’
Michael says he is obsessively clean and organised, always ensuring he has petrol in his car and that clothes are laid out for his daughter, Kelsey Lee.
The athlete is also unsure if he has suffered depression in his life, but likewise has not been diagnosed or sought medication, although he did see a psychologist for a time.
‘I’ve certainly been extremely sad, devastated, floored, can’t move for days can’t get out of bed,’ he added.
Comparing himself to fellow Aussie cricketing greats Allan Border, Steve Waugh, and Mark Taylor, Clarke admitted his lifestyle outside of cricket set him apart from his predecessors. Pictured with Shane Warne in 2015
Michael quietly split from his ex wife Kyly in September 2019 after seven years of marriage, but they did not announce their separation until five months later – They share daughter Kelsey Lee.
Following his split, Michael dated P.E Nation designer Pip Edwards before their relationship eventually ended in 2021.
The cricketer then moved on with Jade Yarbrough.
However, the couple got into a very public bust-up in January 2023 in a Noosa park when the interior designer, 31, accused the cricketer of sleeping with his ex Pip.
Clarke is now dating leasing agent Arabella Sherborne, who works for Westfield owner/operator Scentre Group, the Daily Telegraph reported in June.
An insider confirmed their relationship with the publication, saying: ‘Arabella is a catch. She is super-smart, works in the corporate world, and is a stunner.’
‘I did what I felt. A 25-year-old kid from the western suburbs should be driving ute with a cattle dog drinking VB and I wanted a Ferrari so I went and bought one’
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