Michael Clarke set to make cricket commentary comeback nearly a year on from Noosa incident

Michael Clarke’s infamous Noosa incident with Karl Stefanovic effectively cost him a six-figure commentary gig – but now the former Test captain is making a comeback to the cricket airwaves.

Michael Clarke has secured a return to cricket punditry for the first time since his infamous incident with Karl Stefanovic in Noosa.

The former Australian captain was effectively dumped from a six-figure commentary gig he was set to take up in India earlier this year after footage was leaked of an embarrassing public run-in with girlfriend Jade Yarbrough while on holidays in Queensland back in January.

But Clarke will make a comeback to the cricket airwaves this summer as part of a stellar line-up of cricketing greats featuring on multi-platform program ‘Around the Wicket’ on ESPN, which will critique Australia’s Test team this summer.

Hosted by former Fox Cricket and Channel 9 presenter Neroli Meadows, ‘Around the Wicket’ will feature a rotating cast of greats including Clarke’s former teammates Aaron Finch and Mike Hussey.

Clarke’s new show debuts this Wednesday night at 5pm on ESPN, which is available on Foxtel and Kayo, and will also be simulcast on ESPN Cricinfo’s digital website and be available as an audio podcast.

Clarke will make his cricket commentary comeback with ESPN this summer. Picture: AAP

The former champion batsman hasn’t featured on home Australian cricket commentary since the TV rights transferred from Channel 9 to Fox Sports and Channel 7 in 2018.

However, he had been a regular on ICC and BCCI international cricket events until the incident in Noosa which also featured a verbal stoush with Today host Stefanovic, who is married to Yarbrough’s sister, Jasmine.

Clarke had never signed anything with the BCCI for the Australian Test tour of India earlier this year, but after the incident became public, Mark Waugh, Mitchell Johnson and Finch replaced Clarke in the BCCI’s coverage as Australian commentators alongside Matthew Hayden.

Clarke is one of Australia’s finest ever batsmen, and was lauded for his tactical nous as a captain. Picture: AAP

One of Australia’s best ever tactical skippers, Clarke’s knowledge of the game has always been world class and his opinions as a host on Sky Sports’ Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast are hard-hitting.

ESPN have heralded the 42-year-old’s signing as the front man of the global network’s flagship cricket show.

“Clarke brings his experience as a former Australian cricket captain, in a career spanning 115 Test matches and 245 one-day internationals,” a press release said.

“The former captain enjoyed a highlight reel cricketing career, from his 151 on Test debut in India to 6-9 match-winning bowling performance and historic 329 not out career high innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

“Around the Wicket will preview and review the big international matches across the Australian summer, with episodes airing both on the eve and conclusion of each Test match against Pakistan and the West Indies, Women’s Test series against India and Twenty20 Big Bash.”

Originally published as Michael Clarke set to make cricket commentary comeback nearly a year on from Noosa incident