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Lara Bingle and cricketer Michael Clarke - Source: Getty Images -
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It was just 11 words, but this one sentence may have long term implications for Australian vice captain Michael Clarke.
The statement from his agent, released to news agencies at 8:30pm on Tuesday night, was short and to the point.
"Michael has arrived home to support Lara through this tough time."
In case anyone has not caught up with the story, a nude photo of
Miss Bingle has been circulated by ex-lover and AFL player Brendon
Fevola.
Bingle is said to be struggling emotionally and has called her
fiance, who wears the nickname Pup, back to the nest.
There has been an irate reaction from Australian cricket fans, who have accused Clarke of deserting his country.
There must also be slight concern in the halls of power of Australian cricket, with their vice-captain's show of brittleness.
Clarke is a cerebal chap, and certainly not cut from the same cloth as Ricky Ponting, Mark Taylor or Allan Border who all had a ruthless streak.
This touch of mongrel seems to be an essential element in Australian cricket captains, with Kim Hughes the last leader seen to be soft and his reign ended in tears in 1983.
Clarke has undoubted talent but has never been a man of the people and this latest saga may prove fatal to his captaincy ambitions.
It is hard to imagine what was said in the conversation between the engaged pair once this story broke.
As has been pointed out, it is hardly a life or death scenario and it seems a bit rich to leave a cricket tour just to go home for a cuddle.
And a word for Miss Bingle - she knew the photo was taken so how hard would it have been to delete it from said phone.
The struggle for sympathy continues when it was revealed that said photographer was a married man, who the bikini model was having an affair with.
Was Michael Clarke right to leave the tour? Have your say on the messageboard below
Add a Comment:
Post new commentshandoa said on 2010-03-12 @ 14:40 NZDT: Report abusive post
No. What would he do if something serious occurred? Ms Bingle...one finger salute...what class... added to everything else. Just what any male needs by his side. 'Rough as guts' is the old adage I believe.
big2al said on 2010-03-10 @ 14:13 NZDT: Report abusive post
No, he has probably cost himself the captaincy. I agree Watson most likely won't be skipper when Punter goes. The only problem is that there isn't any other real candidates apart from Clarke. Haddin, Katich & Hussey are all well into their 30's. Here is one from left field...Cam White to bat at 6 & captain the side. He captains Victoria well and has the necessary mongrel.
nzfl said on 2010-03-10 @ 13:52 NZDT: Report abusive post
Watson will never be captain. He is a petulant child that would cry, whine and spit his dummy at every press conference his team loses. After the reaction he made when getting Gayle out I will never look at him as an honest cricket player again.
stojo01 said on 2010-03-10 @ 12:34 NZDT: Report abusive post
This is all a staged publicity vehicle for Bingle, I mean what does she do besides run around with Clarke and get herself in womens magazine for huge sums of cash. Seriously there is not going to be a result in the civil case with Fevola just a whole lot of publicity and sympathy for her, and a whole lot of publicity and shame for Fevola. For the last year it has been obvious that Shane Watson has the mongrel edge to be a captain. Clarke is only in play if Ponting retires early.
Pacifier said on 2010-03-10 @ 11:29 NZDT: Report abusive post
If