Ex-skipper Michael Clarke rips open old wounds with Australia cricket team ‘tumour’ disclosures
Star batsman goes on television to speak about stormy relationships with his former teammates
Former Australia cricket captain Michael Clarke has revisited old feuds, describing Shane Watson as part of a group that was “like a tumour” on the team.
Star batsman Clarke also spoke of his notorious dressing-room bust-up with Simon Katich, who grabbed the then vice-captain’s throat during a disagreement about when the team song should be sung after Australia’s test win against South Africa in 2009.
In a television interview with Channel Nine’s 60 Minutes programme aired late on Sunday to coincide with the release of his autobiography, Clarke spoke of his stormy relationships.
He denied labelling all-rounder Watson a “cancer” on the team, a claim made by Mickey Arthur in documents connected to the former coach’s legal action against Cricket Australia following the South African’s sacking three years ago after a 4-0 defeat in India.
“No, I didn’t say that,” Clarke said. “I said that there is a number of players, or a group in this team at the moment that are like a tumour, and if we don’t fix it, it’s going to turn into a cancer.”
Asked if Watson was one of them Clarke replied: “Shane was one of those players, yes.”