Michael Clarke will lead Australia when Ricky Ponting retires and will finish his career as a respected and successful skipper. The chaos of the past couple of weeks will not hinder this in any way. Rather, it genuinely begins Clarke’s path to the post of captain.
Just like Ricky Ponting’s wake up call came at the end of an ugly night out in Kings Cross all those years ago, Clarke’s came during the debacle that followed his decision to return from New Zealand to deal with problems in his relationship.
The factors were different, but the results will be similar.
Both Ponting and Clarke were identified from a very young age as outstanding cricketers. Neither will work a day in his life. Both will finish their careers as late-30 somethings with millions of dollars and the rest of their lives to do as they please.
The flipside to that privilege is a disconnection from reality, no matter how one might try to keep one’s feet on the ground.
Ponting had little comprehension of his responsibilities as a young batsman in the Australian team when he copped a black eye that night at the Cross.
Clarke, too, has been living in a dreamworld since the age of 23, when he scored 151 on debut in Bangalore.
I spoke to Clarke when he was on the way home after that knock. He was innocent, gleeful, cracking jokes, telling stories and laughing like a kid in a toy store. He was always supremely confident and friendly.
But after living in the barely sustainable goldfish bowl of the Australian cricket team, being adored, feted, mollycoddled and paid a fortune – especially during a period of unprecedented controversy and greed in the game – things finally got out of hand. A reality check was inevitable.
And it has arrived.
Clarke was warned that his relationship with Lara Bingle would become a sideshow. He was happy to go with it. But if you are famous and keen to show off your private life when all’s going well, you can’t expect to shut the door when things turn awry and demand everyone accept your behest.
Australian team media manager Lachy Patterson’s decree to a throng of educated and experienced journalists at Clarke’s media conference on Wednesday that if the wrong questions get asked ‘‘we’ll walk away’’ was embarassing. Clarke should have answered questions.
And he certainly didn’t need a media manager to hold his hand.
Sure, you can’t help love. And, he really did love Lara. But Clarke was also warned that buying a $6 million penthouse right on Bondi Beach (with huge windows) was hardly going to afford him privacy.
He could have helped that.
He didn’t have to get tattoos, advertise underpants or buy a ferrari (which his manager strongly advised him to sell straight away, advice Clarke acted upon).
He didn’t have to organise his engagement party on the same night as the NSW presentation, nor flaunt expensive diamonds and cars, nor get into fights with teammates, all of which have made people question what this bloke is all about.
You suspect Clarke won’t make such poor decisions again after what he’s just been through. You would hope that he’d settle down and begin a new chapter in his career, exhibiting the type of maturity needed to become a respected and admired public figure.
You would anticipate that people like Ponting and Clarke rarely make mistakes twice. They learn, perfect and move on.
Australians forgive those who screw up but get up, dust themselves off and get on with the job. Clarke will do just that and he will be applauded for keeping his dignity during this ordeal, irrespective of whether it was he who invited it.
He has nothing to apologise for, but hopefully will learn more about humility and class.
You would hope that this will be the corner around which he turns from wide-eyed youngster living the fantasy, to a respectable, measured and learned leader fit to lead the nation’s most famous sporting team.
vas
Guest
Hey David, I just wonder how popular guys like Clarke can be. How can you when the Cricket Australia media department turn the press away from ever knowing what these people are like. All they resort to is reporting on things that really have little relevance to the job they're being paid to do. Steve Waugh conducted himself immaculately, but back in his day, cricketers outside of India had litle brand appeal. The guy who really got the ball rolling was Brett Lee, and now others have got onboard the cash cow. With cash comes not only family security, but a little spending money on trivialities such as cars, clothes and all that jazz. Cricketers are now equal to English footballers and Aussie AFL players to how some women (I wouldn't dream of suggesting all of them) will attach themselves in their attempt to gain some limelight. The only time I've really questioned Clarke was reports he racially sledged Chris Gayle in the 2006 Champions Trophy, and then his decision to wait for the ump's call after edging to first slip in the Sydney fiasco of 2008. Apart from that, his rap sheet is clean. The sooner people separate the persona between public and private, the less vested we will be in thinking these guys are or should be perfect.
Amy Price
Guest
Every great captain has to have a certain degree of confidence, competitiveness and experience. Clarke managed to play out his very own childhood morality story as the young, flashy cricketer earmarked as the next 'it boy' of the game who realised the error of his ways. A few years ago, Clarke made his first step to captaincy by selling off his car and material obsessions and focusing on his cricket, producing great mature results in his batting performance. He had the experience and the confidence. The WAGS are definitely growing in their media pull. But if we think back to the past captains of the game, from Ponting back to Waugh, Taylor and Border; their wives are barely heard of despite a shot of them smiling and clapping from the stands. In fact it was Ponting's marriage that marked the turning point from the young punter into the mature captain he is today. So, pehaps Clarke putting an end to his relationship with Bingle and the media frenzy that seems to follow her (or that she wants to have follow her) is his next step to captaincy. With his triumphant and mature return to the game and the ditching of his blonde locks, it seems likely to me that this experience puts him even closer to captain than he was before.
David Sygall
Guest
Vas, you make a really good point. I guess my key point was that playing out a private life in public means you have to accept a similar level of scrutiny when things go wrong, as they did recently. Expecting everyone to refrain from asking questions about it was, in my view, a bit rich. But, having said that, at the press conference after his century, Clarke did seem to accept that a bit and address it. As for flaunting the materials of success, I don't deny Clarke that right at all. But there is something within Australian society that respects understatedness and equates it with class. Steve Waugh is a very wealthy man who enjoys the fruits of success, but you wouldn't know it. Waugh is the most admired captain of the post-war era. There is something in that. There are a lot of people who want the Australian cricket captain to be measured and gracious. There are many who don't see Clarke like that. Many see his some of his past decisions as disrespectful and arrogant. I'm not sure how I feel about it, but one thing is certain - that great confidence Clarke has had in his decisions is the reason he has been such a successful cricketer over the past few years. I just think we will see that confidence pointed in a slightly different direction now. One which will make him a much more popular and admired person, to go with his fine performances on the field.
SouthernWaratah
Guest
Well said Vas, there's to many tall poppy knockers in Australian sport. If any of us had the ability to do what M.Clarke does on the cricket ground we'd all be trying to close a deal with a girl with Bingle's looks!
vas
Guest
David, what exactly is wrong with getting tattoos, and showering yourself with material possessions? These are all part of the facade, and can sometimes have little to do with your mental side. Ever since Clarke returned to the Australian team for the 06/07 Ashes, he has been a tough cookie. No two ways about it. He made a wonderful ton in Bangalore in late 2007 to win us a game while battling a serious illness. He went above and beyond to support Lara when her father passed away. And to show it isn't all about the cash, he's turned down three years of IPL riches before the franchises could turn him down (to the fury of Lalit Modi). I bet MS Dhoni doesn't mind indulging in state-of-the-art comforts with his spanking IPL deal, so why is Clarke demonised for it? I know that cricket administrators are guilty for not respecting the fans enough these days, but why do we feel the need to judge simply based on their material wealth? I have friends who have tattoos and dirve to work in their sports cars. Does that give me the right to judge them on a stereotype? All I know is since 2006/07, Clarke has been our most consistent batsman. Whenever he's lead the ODI or T20 side, he has done so with a nous and flair largley missing in Ponting's repertoire. Aside from the occasional third person rant, he speaks in an articulate fashion and fairly. I never liked his tryst with Lara Bingle, because they seemed so unlike for each other. Lara was only ever there to feed off Clarke's success. Whether he bought it or not is another matter. Thank god she's gone, because ultimately, people will remember that he's still a damn fine cricketer, and anything else is apart of the makeup of Michael Clarke the person. When I watch cricket, I don't give a rats arse about Michael Clarke the person. I want Michael Clarke the cricketer to do well.
Rabbitz
Guest
Well he may or may not be a good Captain, but there is no way he will Ever be a GREAT Captain. I do not believe he has the inner grit (aka guts) to be a tough captain, a leading batsman and a latte drinking, Chardonnay sipping, metro-sexual snag all at the same time, especially when it comes to hard fought matches. Frankly, if he does become Captain, I, for one, will not attend any games nor will I watch it on TV.
David Sygall
Guest
Kicking myself for not putting a wager on Clarke to score a ton in this match... Easy money!!
Hansie
Guest
Clarke started the post-Bingle era well. I doubt we'll hear any more dramas and soap operas from Clarke. I think he's had enough of that and, anyway, he realises that his career won't be helped by more teenage dramas.
Republican
Guest
Yep, and the grounds are like postage stamps, so I wouldn't get too excited. Why Hussey continues to be selected is beyond me!
James
Guest
Clark scores 100 in NZ! Good rebound....but it is against the Kiwis ;-)
Punter
Guest
Clarke just got his 100.
James
Guest
We'll see how he rebounds from Bingle. If there is more tears and soap operas then I think it's time to find someone else.
RickG
Guest
As I said elsewhere I reckon he's got a spring in his step and has taken a huge burden off his shoulders. I've been copping it from the fiminists at work by suggesting it would never work with Lara if he was Aus captain. Can you imagine the wife of the captain with her own manager?
SouthernWaratah
Guest
Well Said Dave! I was sticking up for "Pup" (as he was being called the other day on this site by a member of the crowd) and suggesting he showed great leadership by putting an end to the circus that was his private life. Characteristics of a great leader is to take control of a situation that's getting out of hand and makeing it right, it happens everyday in business, in a sense Michael Clarke's life is his business. I applaud his actions of the past week it has shown great maturity and he has held himself with dignity through out this whole situation, he will make a great Australian Test Captain.
Rickety Knees
Roar Guru
I hope that you are right.