MICHAEL Clarke revealed he is looking forward to focusing on playing cricket again following the recent high-profile upheaval in his private life. The Australia vice-captain faced the media yesterday for the first time since the break-up of his relationship with model Lara Bingle, with the 28-year-old admitting he is raring to go ahead of Australia’s first Test against New Zealand, which begins at the Basin Reserve tomorrow.
“I have spoken to Warney (Shane Warne),” Clarke said. “I’ve spoken to a lot of my friends and my family. He’s been a wonderful friend of mine for a long time and he was excited to see me back in New Zealand and wished me all the best for tomorrow’s Test match.”
Clarke refused to comment on any aspects of his personal life, though, but accepted the high level of media interest was part of the job.
“Being a professional athlete it’s not just about what you do on the field it’s about what you do off the field as well,” he said.
Clarke, who trained for the first time with the squad on Tuesday, was back in the nets again yesterday, and was adamant he was in a good frame of mind heading into the first Test.
“Yesterday it was important to get back into the nets and have a good bat and see that red ball,” he said.
“I’ve seen a lot of the white ball in the Twenty20 and one-day versions of the game of late so it’s good to have some practice yesterday and today, and again tomorrow before the Test.”
Clarke said he was also prepared for whatever the crowd threw at him tomorrow.
“I’m sure I will get a little bit of stick but I don’t mind that,” he said. “I think no matter where you go around the world every country wants their team to do well and win. We’ll wait and see what happens tomorrow but I don’t think that will affect me too much. (Eurosport)