Former Test captain Michael Clarke has been seen sporting bruises following his Noosa video scandal.
The fallout from the altercation involving his girlfriend Jade Yarbrough, which was captured on video, is continuing to create headlines as the 41-year-old refuses to address the matter in public.
Clarke was this week torn to shreds by 2GB radio host Ben Fordham over his silence, despite making a return to radio with Sky Sports’ Big Sports Breakfast show.
Clarke’s only public comments on the incident have been on the leg injury he sustained outside a Noosa restaurant on January 10.
In the explosive footage of a shirtless Clarke being slapped across the face in Lions Park in Noosa the former cricketer was also seen limping.
Now photos have revealed the extent of his injury.
He was seen on Wednesday with a large bruise running from his hamstring to his calf muscle while getting into a car in Sydney.
He attempted to keep a low profile, wearing sunglasses and casual clothing.
Clarke on Monday dismissed the seriousness of the injury in his return to the airwaves.
Clarke was prompted by radio co-host Gerard Middleton on the program: “You won’t be able to walk properly for weeks”.
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Clarke, who endured a devastating run of hamstring and back injuries during his playing career, blew off the injury, saying it was fine and that his focus was only on the show ahead.
“Nah it’s fine buddy, it’s on the mend, I’m good to go, I’m ready, game day, good to go, on the mend,” Clarke said.
Appearing for the first time this year alongside co-hosts Gerard Middleton and Laurie Daley, Clarke was largely spoken for by Middleton, who declared the show wouldn’t be delving into the issue.
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“Now of course enormous fascination into Clarkey’s life and we are just hitting this on the head straight away,” Middleton said.
“It is a private matter that Clarkey’s obviously been dealing with, a very, very private matter which unfortunately was made public.
“There’s a lot of factors in play here and Clarkey’s made his statement last week and due to all the factors in play we are moving forward on The Big Sports Breakfast this morning.”
Clarke had earlier announced he had enjoyed a good summer break, but was looking forward to getting back into work, even despite the 4am alarms.
“Good morning lads. Good morning to our listeners. Yep, a good break,” Clarke said.
“Five weeks is a long time. A lot of sleep-ins. Was nice to sleep past 4am, but nice to be back.”
He also revealed he had recently been approached to commentate on the upcoming Pakistan Super League T20 competition, days after it emerged he was in danger of losing his six-figure commentary gig for Australia’s upcoming tour of India.
The former batting superstar’s radio comments represented his first public statements since he apologised for the drama last Wednesday, telling The Daily Telegraph: “I accept full responsibility for this altercation and am shattered by my actions.”
His apology came after dramatic vision emerged of Yarbrough accusing him of cheating on her with his celebrity fashion designer ex-girlfriend Pip Edwards.
You can watch the video of the incident here.
Clarke can be heard continually denying the claim in the footage, with his partner seen slapping him across the face at one point during the screaming match.
It’s understood Edwards and Yarbrough had been in contact, sparking the confrontation with Clarke.
Today Show host Karl Stefanovic and his partner Jasmine Yarbrough, sister to Jade, were also present during the fracas.
On Saturday Clarke and Jade Yarbrough were fined for public nuisance by Queensland Police after officers investigated the footage.
“No other offences were detected during the investigation,” police told news.com.au.
“There is no further information available, and the investigation has been finalised.”
Clarke represented Australia in 115 Test matches and 245 ODIs after making his international debut in 2003.
The right-hander scored 8643 Test runs, including 28 centuries and a career-best 329 not out against India at the SCG in 2012.
He captained Australia to their 2013/14 Ashes whitewash and 2015 World Cup victory.
A spokesman for Tabcorp, the company that owns Sky Sports Radio, producers of the Big Sports Breakfast, told news.com.au “the company doesn’t comment on the personal matters of its employees”.
