Michael Clarke has broken his silence following his spilt with model Lara Bingle, saying he expects to be sledged by New Zealand players during Friday’s first Test.
“I’m sure I’ll get a little bit of stick. I don’t mind that,” the Australian vice-captain told a press conference at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium on Wednesday.
But Clarke is tough enough to handle it, according to Australian assistant coach Justin Langer.
“I’ve never been through what he’s been through, thankfully,” Langer said.
“If he sat around in his room and kept thinking too much, it could become a really hard time for him.
“But what I know, from a cricket point of view, which is all I’m interested in, he’s been very proactive in his approach to this Test match.
“He’s hitting a lot of balls, he’s doing a bit of running, he’s listening to his music — all the things he needs to do, he’s doing them.
“He could easily mope around but he’s not doing that. I really admire him for doing everything he needs to do to prepare for this Test match.
“He’s Australian vice-captain, they don’t hand that out.”
Clarke said on-field banter wouldn’t affect him much.
“I’ve copped a fair bit of sledging in my time, whether it be about stuff on the field or off the field,” he said.
“I have the utmost respect for the New Zealand guys and I’m sure they’re the same.”
Clarke has relied on support from former team-mate Shane Warne to help him through a dramatic week.
“It’s easy (to be positive) when you’ve got great friends around you,” Clarke said.
“I have spoken to Warnie. He has been a wonderful friend of mine for a long time and he’s excited to see me back in New Zealand he has wished me all the best for Friday’s Test match.”
Clarke has endured a media frenzy since March 8 when he quit Australia’s one-day series in New Zealand with three matches remaining.
The 28-year-old rushed home to Sydney to see Bingle, who was attempting to deal with a nude-photo scandal. Gossip columns overflowed with speculation about their pair’s relationship.
Clarke announced last Friday the celebrity couple’s engagement was off.
An upbeat Clarke smiled for the cameras on Wednesday, saying that as a professional athlete he accepts the intense media interest in his private life.
Langer says his former Test team-mate has returned to New Zealand with a steely resolve and he has shown already in his 58-Test career he can deal with personal setbacks.
“When he came back to the West Indies (in 2008), he’d stayed in Australia for Lara’s dad’s funeral, he got a hundred when he came back,” Langer said.
“His feet were dancing in the nets this morning like they were before the Test in Tassie, when he got a hundred (in January against Pakistan).
“He seems hungry, I’m looking forward to watching him bat this Test.”
Langer also says he expects his fellow West Australian Marcus North to retain his Test spot at No.6 despite the good Shield form of young NSW all-rounder Steve Smith.
South Australia seamer Peter George has been added as cover for Ryan Harris, who has left-side soreness but is expected to be fit to train on Thursday.
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