Michael Clarke would politely turn down knighthood

MICHAEL Clarke says he would knock back a knighthood even if Australia retains the Ashes in England because it wouldn’t “suit him”.

Clarke’s knighthood knock back

AUSTRALIAN captain Michael Clarke says he wouldn’t accept a knighthood.

The left-handed batsman says he would politely decline any royal honours offered by Prime Minister Tony Abbott — even if his side is able to retain the Ashes in England.

Clarke made the declaration at an official reception for the Test team at Australia House in London, surrounded by English business leaders and Aussie sporting dignitaries, including tennis great Pat Cash and former Formula One driver Mark Webber, according to The Australian.

The 34-year-old told the function no player in his team has ever tasted Ashes victory in England before High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Alexander Downer quipped Abbott may look to knight the entire team if they are able to defeat the Old Enemy, beginning with the first Test in Cardiff on July 8.

This is the team that doesn’t want to be knighted.

However, Clarke swatted away any link with a knighthood.

“It doesn’t suit me, I am just a boy from Liverpool, a Liverpool boy through and through,” Clarke said.

“I can’t imagine my mates calling me sir anything.”

Abbott did send a video message to the function to pass on his best wishes to Clarke and his team.

“I know you will rise to the occasion as you always do,” Abbott said.

Meanwhile, Clarke has laughed off comments from former Australian Test quick Jason Gillespie which labelled the Australian team ‘Dad’s Army’.

He said the British TV show was a huge success and hopes his team can do the same.

“Unfortunately for all players who stand in this room none of us has won, so to state the obvious we would like to go home as winners,” he said.