Michael Clarke swipes back after cosmetics rumour swirls

Days after a photo of the cricketer went viral, former Aussie Test captain Michael Clarke has given a blunt reply to a swirling rumour.

Michael Clarke has shrugged off rumours surrounding his physical appearance.

The former Australian Test captain caused a stir last week with one photo shared on Instagram going viral.

The 42-year-old has been in Pakistan for the Super League as part of the tournament’s TV commentary team — his first journey to the country.

Vision shared by the PSL’s official social media channels show a big change to Clarke’s look including a snazzy new haircut with gelled up tips.

However, one photo shared appeared to show Clarke looked like a whole different person during his first trip to the country.

The spiked tips appear to be a triumphant silver with gold tones — a similar cut to the one he wore when he burst on the scene making his Test debut for Australia in 2004.

Michael Clarke shared the photo on his Instagram page. Photo: Instagam, @michaelclarkeofficial.

Michael Clarke at the desk for the first time during the Pakistan Super League. Photo: Twitter, @thePSLt20.

It may have been a simple case of lighting making Clarke’s presentation appear particularly more dramatic.

But it hasn’t stopped people talking about the World Cup winner’s pristine skin and boy-like vibrance.

Unfounded rumours about Clarke undergoing cosmetic work were stoked by reports this week — but the cricketer has now knocked it on the head with a video shared on his Instagram stories.

“No lighting, no make up, no filter... just hard work,” Clarke captioned a video of him pumping iron in the gym.

“Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.”

Clarke also gave a statement to the Daily Mail.

“That accusation is 100 per cent false,” he said.

Clarke’s looks were a lighthearted topic of discussion between AFL legend’s Tim Watson and Garry Lyon during their Melbourne breakfast radio show last week.

Lyon said with a laugh that it appeared Clarke had had a bit of “touch up”.

Michael Clarke hit back on Instagram. Photo: Instgram, @michaelclarkeofficial.

Michael Clarke's new look stands out under lights. Photo: Instgram, @michaelclarkeofficial.

“Did you see Michael Clarke? Did you see that picture of Michael Clarke that’s doing the rounds,” Lyon asked Watson on SEN Breakfast.

Watson responded: “That’s not Michael Clarke. That’s a Michael Clarke look-alike. That’s not him.”

Lyon replied: “By jingoes… maybe it was a bad photo. It looked like he’d had a bit of touch up. His hair was like silver and his face looked like a landing strip. Smooth. His face didn’t have a crease or crinkle on it anywhere.”

When asked to explain Clarke’s look, Lyon said: “He looked different to how he normally does”.

Lyon laughed it off and asked listeners to suggest some tips for his own beauty remedy of trying to hide baggy eyes.

Clarke has taken a break from his regular Sky Sports Radio morning breakfast radio show to take up the PSL cameo.

Michael Clarke at the Hublot lunch at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Picture: Brett Costello

He said he was thrilled to be in the cricket-mad country for the first time. All of Clarke’s Tests against Pakistan were played in Australia or in the UAE because of security concerns.

“Thank you for having me. My first time to Pakistan. All those years, all those matches we played in the UAE or in Australia so i’s nice to be here and thank you everyone for having me.”

He went on to say: “Pakistan always seem to produce talent and it’s no different now. So to get the chance to come to a tournament like this and to see some of their superstars on show, it’s a real honour to be here. And I think we see it in world cricket now. They are always competing with the best.

“Came to Australia recently and they were brilliant so it’s nice to be in their country.”

Clarke is now expected to return to Australia shortly with Islamabad United defeating Multan Sultans in the PSL final on Tuesday.