Michael Clarke: Former Aussie Cricket Captain save man’s life

Michael Clarke, along with close mate Anthony Bell, have reluctantly confirmed they recently helped save a man’s life when his sailing boat capsized.

Perhaps a shift for Bondi Rescue could be on the cards for former Australian Cricket Captain Michael Clarke.

Clarke, along with accountant to the stars and close mate Anthony Bell, have reluctantly confirmed they recently helped save a man’s life when they spotted him struggling in Sydney Harbour when his single man sailing boat capsized.

The pair, along with two other mates — former Waratahs rugby union player Peter Playford and Ryan Burge — were on Bell’s 36 foot Seafarer on their way back to Rose Bay from lunch at the Spit Bridge early in January when they saw someone in trouble.

“The weather was fierce. This guy was around 60 and he was busted up … had been in the water for a while,” Playford recalled when contacted. “He capsized and was drifting towards the rocks so we tied a rope around Clarkey’s chest, he dived in, grabbed the bloke and we got him to safety.”

Michael Clarke and Anthony Bell pictured at the 2015 Loyal Perpetual Sportsman's Fundraising Lunch held at Darling Harbour. Picture: Richard Dobson

When Confidential reached out to Clarke directly, the father of one played down his part and said it was a group effort where anyone would help.

“Unfortunately for a man who is petrified of sharks, I had no choice but to dive in the water,” Clarke said. “The weather was treacherous, we could barely see through the rain, it was bucketing down. I’d honestly prefer to face any bowler in the world over those conditions. It was terrifying.”

The 40-year-old currently co-hosts the Big Sports Breakfast radio show alongside Laurie Daley and said he is “much happier inside a boat than in the water”.

Michael Clarke at home with his daughter Kelsey Lee. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

While Clarke stripped to his shorts and helped the man in the water, Bell manoeuvred the boat in the middle of the water.

“We towed his boat and took him to the nearest beach,” Clarke recalled. “Once he got his breath back, he was okay. We didn’t exchange details but I am just glad he survived.”

Later, the guys had a chuckle at the fact Clarke's personal life has been the subject of much gossip fodder with paparazzi following his every move.

“He finally did something positive and no one captured it,” Playford joked.

“He can’t go into a pub without photographers following him but on this day there was no one else around.”