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The indoor training nets at Wellington’s Westpac stadium were bulging with camera crews tripping over each other in a bid to film Michael Clarke putting his pads on, chatting to a team-mate, anything really.
Media were invited to get to the ground “early” to assist preparations for Clarke’s 10.30am press conference out on the field.
The media pack of about 50 was led out by team media manager Lachy Patterson.
After a few minutes of waiting around for the star’s arrival, out came Clarke flanked by a big bloke with a bikie moustache and sunglasses, who turned out to be Test selector and former pace bowler Merv Hughes.
On his other side was team manager Steve Bernard, another former fast bowler at state level for NSW, and Patterson.
The ominous body language of big Merv set the tone early like he used to on the field with a bouncer followed up by a menacing glare.
Patterson politely asked journalists to stay calm and show some courtesy.
“As soon as it starts getting out of control we will walk off, so please be careful with how you ask a question,” he said.
A six-minute press conference followed, with Clarke smiling constantly and only really looking slightly uncomfortable when asked if he was still on speaking terms with bikini model Lara Bingle.
The celebrity couple ended their engagement last week, amid enormous media interest back home in Australia.
Clarke spent last week in Sydney and missed Australia’s last three games in the five-match series of one-day internationals against New Zealand, but was back in Wellington on Monday in preparation for Friday’s first Test at the Basin Reserve.
And that’s where his focus lies at the moment.
But is he on speaking terms with Lara?
“I’m not going to comment on my personal life, I’m very sorry,” Clarke said.
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