“I’ve read every paper possible,” Australian Test cricket’s vice-captain Michael Clarke said, breaking all the rules of sports stars talking to the media.

While generally a player will tell reporters he doesn’t read the papers and couldn’t care less what they say, Clarke is quick to admit the extensive coverage of his broken engagement to bikini model Lara Bingle has been on his radar.

Clarke had gone home to Sydney halfway through the one-day series against New Zealand to be with Bingle, who was dealing with a nude-photo scandal.

After announcing his engagement with Bingle was off on Friday, Clarke returned to Wellington on Monday and threw himself into preparing for the first Test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve.

And in a fairytale performance, the 28-year-old scored 100 not out and celebrated in grand fashion, kissing his Australian helmet and waving his bat in the air.

“I’d be lying to say I haven’t read or I haven’t watched the television or the news and stuff,” Clarke said.

“I’ve seen it. I understand that you guys have a job to do.

“Me being a professional athlete, it’s not just about what I do on the field it’s off the field as well.

“Lara has copped a lot of criticism over the last couple of weeks and it takes a very strong woman to be able to handle that.

“It’s respect to her and it’s respect to my team-mates to give me the time away I needed and then the opportunity to come back and make me feel so welcome back in the team.”

Clarke, who struggled to nine not out from 45 balls at tea before blossoming in the final session, shared a 140-run partnership with Marcus North (52 not out) in Australia’s 4-316.

“It’s a very special feeling any time you make a hundred but it’s been a tough couple of weeks,” Clarke said.

“The support I’ve had from family, friends, teammates – I’ve spoken to you guys about not wanting to talk about my personal life but the support I’ve had from Lara as well has been tremendous.

“Without her and her support I certainly wouldn’t have been back over here. To my family and friends that have supported me and Lara, I thank them very much.”

© AAP 2012

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