Published: Aug 10, 2015, 01:44 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 19, 2015, 01:19 PM (IST)
Former Australian cricketer Mathew Hayden revealed that Michael Clarke once threatened to return the baggy green if he would be forced to field on bat-pad. The Queensland legend suggested that Test skipper, who is set to retire at the end of the 2015 Ashes, polarized teammates and public, as he remembered the day when Justin Langer was injured and could not afford to field at bat-pad, Clarke, the youngest in the side then was asked to wear the helmet. And that was followed by Clarke telling, “If I have to wear that, I will hand my baggy green back.” READ: Michael Clarke rubbishes rumours about off-field friction in Australian team
However, Hayden said made it clear that it was once of the instances when Clarke knew what he didn’t want to do provided he was skillful in other areas. “In hindsight we should have said mate that’s exactly what will happen, we will have your baggy green back and that’s the way it will roll. But he learnt from that, he became a much better person and a much better player through those lessons,” former opener added.
Hayden, who did not share a very great relationship with Clarke, said, “Michael always had really strong opinions and when you’ve got strong opinions and you’re a young fella in the group, he would polarise people. He had a hot head, he wore his heart on his sleeve and he had a very definite opinion of who he was and where he wanted to go. Sometimes those (Clarke’s opinions) ruffled feathers, I know for a fact that they ruffled mine at times.” READ– Michael Clarke: Telling my grandfather about my retirement was the hardest part
Hayden’s comments were the result of reports regarding off-field dramas following a humiliating Ashes 2015 loss. However, Clarke has rubbished the rumours about any kind of friction in the dressing room. “There is no disharmony is this group whatsoever. The players are as tight as any team I’ve been a part of. Travelling in different cars? What a load of shit. Wives and girlfriends being on tour is a distraction? What a load of shit. That’s absolute garbage. I’ll give back 10 of my Test 100s if it wasn’t for my beautiful wife,” he said.
