Clarke to put worst behind him

16 Mar 2010, 1:30 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Michael Clarke will return to cricket and try to put his personal dramas behind him when the Australian Test squad resume training for the first Test against New Zealand. (AAP)

Michael Clarke will return to cricket and try to put his personal dramas behind him when the Australian Test squad resume training for the first Test against New Zealand. (AAP)

Michael Clarke will return to cricket and try to put his personal dramas behind him when the Australian Test squad resume training for the first Test against New Zealand.

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Michael Clarke will return to cricket and try to put his personal dramas behind him on Tuesday when the Australian Test squad resume training for the first Test against New Zealand.

The vice-captain had skipped the last three games of Australia's five-match one-day series against the Kiwis to sort out his relationship with bikini model Lara Bingle.

Clarke's management announced last week the pair's engagement was off and now the 28-year-old is keen to turn his focus back to cricket.

Clarke was flanked by officials including team manager Steve Bernard as he arrived at Wellington airport on Monday and negotiated the two-minute walk to the car park.

Looking drained and under siege, he threw his sunglasses on and repeated the line "no comment, sorry guys" at least six times.

Australian pace bowler Doug Bollinger said his NSW team-mate would be fine for Friday's first Test at Wellington's Basin Reserve.

"It will take his mind off everything that's going on and I reckon it'll be great for him," Bollinger said.

"He'll be great around the group and great playing cricket.

He'll be alright, he'll be fine."

Australian Test batsman Mike Hussey has paid tribute to Clarke's mental strength, while warning the Kiwis that sledging the vice-captain over his personal dramas would be "below the belt".

Test hopeful Steve Smith backed Clarke's ability to rise above the dramas that have dogged "Pup".

"He's been through a pretty tough time of it of late," the 20-year-old said.

"He's a pretty tough customer. He's going to come back and want to do well for Australia."

Marcus North, Simon Katich, Smith and Phillip Hughes have also joined the Australian squad.

 

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