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Michael Clarke will return to cricket in the coming weeks to play for NSW grade team Western Suburbs, and has not ruled playing for Australia again.
For a decorated player who turns 35 in April, this is peculiar.
Sleep deprivation can cause people to think strange things. Michael and wife Kyly welcomed a baby girl in November. Those first months with a newborn can be rough. Perhaps their young daughter, Kelsey, isn’t sleeping too well and this explains his outlook.
When Clarke announced his retirement during the ill-fated Ashes tour, he was a player struggling. His batting average in 2015 was 21 and was not sufficient in 2014 when averaging 35. He was a far cry from the player who averaged 106 and made over 1500 runs in the 2012 calendar year. He was also suffering from a chronic back injury.
The Australian cricket team must look forward – there are so many young players who must be promoted before Clarke, even if in good form, should be considered.
Let’s not forget his last game in the fifty-over format was to lead Australia to a World Cup victory on home soil. There is no better way to go out in that form of the game.
Michael’s manager needs to pull him aside and outline the opportunities that are out there for him. He has a Big Bash contract next year with the Melbourne Stars for starters. Also, he need look no further than what Shane Warne is up to. Earning millions by going into the jungle is a lot easy than putting your legacy at risk. Viewers would much prefer seeing Clarke than Warney, and prior to that big Merv Hughes! As a former Australian Test cricket captain, there must also be media opportunities to top up the super balance.
The fact that Clarke is going to play grade cricket is excellent. Those who he plays with and against will gain priceless experience. Perhaps it could also lead to a foray along a coaching path? Australian has a solid foundation of coaches, in Jason Gillespie and Justin Langer, but more people in the coaching department is key to continue the development of Australian cricket once Darren Lehmann’s tenure inevitably comes to an end.
Many of the Australian cricketing public struggled to warm to Clarke. He did not have the popularity of a Steve Waugh or Allan Border, however he won many lifetime fans for his actions following the passing of Philip Hughes.
There is much cricket for Clarke to enjoy, but any efforts to make an international comeback should be tempered. The way Michael Hussey has transitioned to retirement is a template Michael Clarke would do well to follow.
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