Clarke coy about possible comeback
MICHAEL Clarke is refusing to categorically rule out a comeback as Australian Test captain in the wake of the balltampering scandal that has rocked world cricket.
Clarke is hoping for forgiveness for Steve Smith after the embattled skipper admitted to his team cheating during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
“If I was asked by the right people, then I would think about my answer,” Clarke said on the Nine Network after being grilled about the potential of answering any SOS call from officials.
Despite saying he was “appalled” that the leadership group had even contemplated cheating, Clarke sympathised with the captain.
“When I look at that, Steve Smith wants to captain Australia. In my heart, I believe he has just made a really, really bad mistake,” Clarke said.
“I hope there can be a way around this, that he can continue to captain Australia.”
Three years into retirement, Clarke tried to sit on the fence when repeatedly asked if he would consider a recall as captain.
“This is so raw right now. This is not about me at all,” he said. “This is about Australian cricket and the future of Australian cricket and where these current players and this current structure and leadership sits, and my job is to make sure I can help this game come back from this.”
Asked what his wife thought of a possible recall, Clarke again left the possibility of a comeback open.
“She just sent me a text message with – what’s the emoji? – the monkey has the hands over her eyes,” he said.
“She is at home waiting for the answer as well, I imagine.”
Clarke, who said he had “never cheated” during his eight-year Test captaincy, said it was a “terrible” day for Australian cricket.
“I am pretty about it all,” he said.
“Steve Smith is such a lovely, lovely guy, it – you can see there he’s just shattered. I really feel sorry for him.” emotional