Did Hussey really cause rifts in Aussie camp?

Is Mike Hussey telling the truth about his roles in recent rifts in the Aussie side or is he just a good bloke trying to take the rap?

In his forthcoming book, ‘Underneath the Southern Cross’, Hussey has claimed responsibility for two incidents which splintered the Australian Test side.

The recently-retired West Australian, a renowned team man who was entrusted with singing the Test team song, said he had accidentally prompted the infamous stoush between current skipper Michael Clarke and former opening batsman Simon Katich.

He also revealed, in extracts published in News Ltd papers, his decision to stay with his family after his final Test and not join a boat trip organised for the team by Clarke led to unrest within the team.

Many sportsmen go to great lengths to paper over any ructions within sides and between teammates.

Acutely aware of the disharmony which has cruelled the Aussie camp in recent times, has Hussey tried to take the blame for these fights in an effort to take the sting out of them?

The Katich incident reportedly saw the veteran left hander grab Clarke by the throat after the Aussies’ Test win at the SCG in 2009.

It was Clarke, not Katich, who gathered negative attention from the fight, with his dedication to the team called into question.

It has long been reported Katich had lost his temper because Clarke had demanded the side sing its song early so he could leave to be with his then-girlfriend, Lara Bingle.

Hussey has a far different version, which suggests Clarke was unjustly painted as a prima donna more interested in being with his celebrity partner than savouring an important win with his teammates.

He said Clarke had asked him to sing the team song by midnight.

Hussey claims he was busy celebrating with teammates and the South Africans and was unaware Clarke wanted the song to be sung by that time because he had booked a party for the team at a bar.

Katich had misunderstood the situation and lost his temper.

Hussey also revealed, more recently, Shane Watson and Peter Siddle had been angered the team had not stayed with him after his final Test against Sri Lanka at the SCG in January.

He wrote that Clarke had months earlier planned a celebration for the side on James Packer’s boat after the last Test of the summer.

For safety reasons, children were not allowed on board the boat, so Hussey decided to instead stay behind with his wife and four kids.

Hussey said although he had encouraged players to continue the planned boat party without him, it had split the playing group who differed on whether or not they should have stayed with him.

He said he had assured Watson he had no problem with the side continuing the planned party but that the all-rounder remained furious.

Circumstance such as this can undoubtedly fracture a side and exacerbate existing tensions between particular individuals.

It has long been known Clarke and Watson do not get along and both of the aforementioned incidents no doubt deepened this rift.

So is Hussey telling the truth? Is Clarke the victim of a media and public which has long seen him as a selfish pretty boy lacking the true grit required of those who don the baggy green?

If Hussey’s versions of those stories are to be believed, Clarke has been portrayed unfairly.

Some pundits and fans are quick to recount such tales as a means of deriding Clarke.

They overlook the fact he has for years battled manfully with a debilitating back injury, only ever missing one Test due to it, despite clearly being hobbled.

Like most people, I was not impressed when Clarke left the tour of New Zealand in 2010 to break up with Bingle after she was engulfed in a nude photo scandal.

But, aside from that, he has been an exemplary member of the side and is underrated for his toughness.

Many Roarers have been vocal in their dislike for Clarke. In light of Hussey’s revelations, I’m interested to see if your opinions have been altered at all?