Who needs Posh ‘n’ Becks? Australian cricket vice-captain Michael Clarke and his model girlfriend Lara Bingle have confirmed themselves as the nation’s celebrity circus couple.
Clarke is known for being unhappy with the ongoing publicity that surrounds their relationship but its effect has reached a nadir with him quitting the team camp on the eve of a one-day match against New Zealand because his girlfriend was upset.
This is no Hollywood couple’s restaurant flare-up. Clarke’s sudden and stunning decision to return to Sydney to be with Bingle raises questions on his future role in the team and ability to focus on his cricket. Clarke has been a consistently excellent performer and is the favourite to succeed Ricky Ponting as captain.
But if his personal life can cut into his cricket, is the captaincy a role he can deliver in, particularly given the high expectations of the Australian public? Of all sporting codes, Australians are least forgiving of failure or distractions in their cricket team.
Given the weight of Clarke’s decision to leave the team for what officials described only as “personal reasons”, there was some concern that it was something more serious than a meltdown by his fiancee.
But his manager Chris White confirmed to The Punch: “Michael has come home to support Lara through this tough time.”
To recap, this “tough time” arose as a result of a nude photo of Bingle appearing in a magazine last week. This was followed up by her granting an interview to the same magazine for a reported six-figure sum, a portion of which she gave to charity.
Nobody thinks living in the glare of publicity is easy, but it is the downpayment on the fame and fortune they get in return. Bingle drives a fancy car and is regularly photographed out at parties and shopping in flash suburbs. It’s all part of brand Bingle.
Some stress is understandable, but when hysterics cut into the Australian cricket team’s camp while they’re touring it’s no longer a matter of just their personal lives. It affects the whole team and the long slow process of succession planning for the all-important captaincy.
It is understood the snap decision for Clarke to return to Sydney was made after a meeting with coach Tim Nielsen and captain Ricky Ponting last night. He is expected to return to the team camp within days.
You have to wonder what the reception will be like in the sheds. The demands of Clarke’s relationship caused a dressing-room boilover last year, when he asked for the team song to be sung early in celebrations so he could leave.
A row ensued in which batsman Simon Katich grabbed Clarke by the throat. They had to be pulled off each other.
The current Australian team also has some experience with players’ performances being affected by personal problems. In last year’s Ashes series a horrendous form collapse by fast bowler Mitchell Johnson was attributed to him being upset about a row with his mother over his fiancée, Jessica Bratich. His poor performance was undoubtedly linked to Australia’s poor start and subsequent loss of the series. The team and officials will be keen to avoid a repeat.
Australian cricketing great Mark Waugh told Fox Sports today that Clarke’s focus needed to be on his cricket, and hoped it was the last time his personal life would interfere with his game.
“He’s had to leave the tour, so (his personal life) has encroached on his cricket. That’s not the way you want to be playing your cricket and living your life,” Waugh said.
“It’s difficult being a high-profile sportsman having a high-profile partner. You’re in the spotlight all the time, for good and bad reasons. It’s difficult to handle, especially when the press is negative.
“It’s not easy for anybody, and negative publicity has got to affect you at some stage. When it’s your wife or partner involved, it’s difficult to handle. Hopefully there’s not too many more dramas in the future.”
Some cricketers somehow manage to balance it - Shane Warne kept performing through one SMS controversy after another.
So while it can be done, and Waugh is dead right in hoping it’s the last time it happens, The Punch understands Clarke hopes to be back with the team within days.
The trouble is, when he gets back there’ll be a crowd waiting, not with cricket bats, but with cameras. And Pup needs to have be ready for it, because they’ll be there for the rest of his career.
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