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Chris Martin and the Black Caps look on - Source: Photosport -
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Michael Clarke is a good guy so the New Zealand players will treat him accordingly, Black Caps paceman Chris Martin says.
To do otherwise would be very "tabloid", to say the least.
"He treats people he plays against with respect and that should be the way he gets treated as well," Martin said on Tuesday.
Clarke is making headlines throughout the cricket world after quitting Australia's one-day series with three matches remaining last week to make a mercy dash home to Sydney to be with his troubled fiancee Lara Bingle.
The bikini model was struggling to deal with a nude-photo scandal and as further gossip and dramas surrounded the celebrity pair on a daily basis, Clarke announced on Friday their engagement was off.
Now back in Wellington for Friday's first Test, Clarke is bracing for hostile reactions from Kiwi fans and players. But Martin says the Australian vice-captain's a nice fellow and he'll be treated accordingly.
"That's pretty much how it works. The fans will probably have a ball but that's nothing to do with us," Martin said.
"I know that I've stood on a few boundaries in Australia and been ripped to shreds so it's nothing new on either side of the Tasman and it's actually something that's quite humorous.
"It's very tabloid. I suppose cricket maybe in the '80s when Ian Botham and Viv Richards and those guys were floating around, it may have been a bit more tabloidy, but I haven't seen it since then.
"I think the tabloids may have even had a separate crew for Botham that followed him around, so I hope Michael doesn't have to deal with that.
"He'll just come back and play his game, get out on the park and enjoy his cricket.
"I don't think it has much to do with anyone in the side except himself. He's going to play his cricket and everyone will treat him the same so I doubt there will be any problems there."
Martin is expecting no favours himself from the Australians and has a poor record against them, taking 14 wickets at 74.14 in eight Tests.
He doesn't need to be told how Ricky Ponting's side will approach the game.
"I know once Australia sniffs a bit of blood they're pretty quick to step on the throat," Martin said.
"They're a very disciplined outfit and one you can't get cheap wickets against."
