‘Probably deserved a bit of it’: Michael Clarke on polarising presence

Michael Clarke admits he’s one of the most polarising figures in Australian cricket. He’s opened about why he “probably” deserved some of the criticism.

Former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke says he probably deserved some of the negativity he received throughout his career.

Speaking as a guest on the latest episode on the Mental As Anyone podcast, the 46-year-old said: “I think I probably deserved a bit of what I copped but I played a sport that tradition and history is a massive part of that and I probably didn’t abide, you know, I didn’t swim between the flags as such.”

Clarke in action in 2015.

Clarke is one of the most recognisable figures in Australian sport over the past few decades.

He also concedes to being one of the most polarising thanks to his love of fashion and cars, as well as the intense interest in his love life.

“I think it’s fair to say that I polarised,” the father of one said.

“Some people liked me as a person, some people didn’t and naturally when you’re playing sport at the highest level, the judgment is made before people get to know you, those decisions that I made that probably people didn’t agree with, fair enough as well.”

Clarke is aware his look – tattoos – was also different to his predecessors.

“In regards to perception, I would like to think, more than my love and value for playing for my club or my state or my country, I don’t think was any less to a Mark Taylor, or Allan border, or Steve Waugh but I think my lifestyle was very different,” he said.

Clarke and his ex wife Kyly Clarke.

Clarke on the cover of Men’s Health.

“I don’t think any of those three have tattoos or have an earing or dye their hair or, you know, played a handful of Test matches and wanted a Ferrari so went and bought a Ferrari. They don’t live in the eastern suburbs (of Sydney), there’s a lot of things perception that comes with all that stuff. And I guess I probably never really cared too much about worrying about what other people thought before making my decisions. I did what I felt. A 25-year-old kid from the western suburbs should be driving ute with a cattle dog drinking VB and I wanted a Ferrari so I went and bought one.”

Michael Clarke with daughter Kelsey Lee. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Clarke is the latest high profile guest to share all on the Mental As Anyone podcast. Others coming up in the series include Grant Denyer, Ben Gillies and Isaac Humphries.

He revealed that he believes he suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder, but has not been formally diagnosed.

“I have never been checked, I think it is a given,” he said.

“It is like ADD, it’s a given. Definitely, ask my parents, you don’t need to take me to a doctor.”

While Clarke has never been medically diagnosed with depression, he states he has felt extreme sadness throughout his life.

“I’m very protective of the gap between sadness and depression. I think there is a difference. I’ve certainly been extremely sad, devastated, floored, can’t move for days can’t get out of bed,” he said.

“Losing family members, losing a couple of my closest friends, so I think I’ve felt the deepest of sadness, but I think it was sadness. I don’t know if it was depression. I’ve never gone to a doctor to be diagnosed with depression, for example, or to seek medication for depression. I’ve certainly seen people to get help, advice, guidance through tough periods I’ve had.”

* A new episode of Mental As Anyone drops Tuesday mornings at 6am.

Originally published as ‘Probably deserved a bit of it’: Michael Clarke on polarising presence