Michael Clarke returns to radio after infamous row with girlfriend Jade Yarbrough: ‘Many factors’

Michael Clarke returned to breakfast radio in Sydney after a shocking video showing a fight with his partner made him headlines last week.

Clarke has been accused of cheating on partner Jade Yarbrough, who smacked the cricket magnificently in the face during an explosive, screaming match in footage.

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The former Australian cricket captain holidayed in Noosa during his summer break from radio, where he appears on Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast alongside Laurie Daley and Gerard Middleton.

The issue was raised immediately, but Middleton, who mostly spoke for Clarke, said they were “moving forward” with the show.

“Well obviously a tremendous fascination with Clarkey’s life and we hit that squarely on the head,” Middleton said.

“It’s a private matter that Clarkey has obviously dealt with, a very, very private matter that has unfortunately been made public.

“There are many factors at play here and Clarkey made his statement last week and because of all the factors at play we move on to The Big Sports Breakfast this morning.”

Clarke did not add to the comments he made to The Daily Telegraph after the video appeared, saying: “I take full responsibility for this altercation and am shocked by my actions.”

In the now-viral video, Clarke – who was known to be prone to injury during his decorated international cricket career, the twilight of which was dogged by chronic back problems – can be seen clearly limping and can even be heard saying, “I did my best Hammy”.

He tries to chase after Yarbrough but appears to be severely handicapped by the hamstring injury.

Clarke didn’t add any further comment to the statement he released last week following the argument, but he did address the apparent injury, which Middleton couldn’t help but ask about.

“I want to ask you — you showed us that bruise on your hamstring before, that’s incredible mate,” Middleton said.

“You won’t be able to walk properly for weeks.”

Clarke brushed off the injury and said he was “ready” for “matchday”.

“No it’s fine mate it’s on the mend, I’m ready, I’m ready, game day, ready, on the mend,” Clarke said.

The 41-year-old continued to speak about Australia’s dominating summer of cricket, praising the Aussies’ impressive form despite underperforming their opponents.

“I thought the Aussies were brilliant but South Africa’s punching power was what worried me. I thought they were really bad and then when Australia got going we just got used to the pace of South Africa in those conditions,” said Clarke.

“I thought South Africa’s bowling attack was good but Australia used their speed to our advantage with very good batting wickets.

“But I thought South Africa’s punching power was nowhere near good enough against Australia’s bowlers, but I think the Aussies deserve a lot of credit for their game.”

Clarke, who since retiring from the game as a commentator during the Australian Summer Test and at both men’s and women’s World Cups in Australia, also revealed he had been approached to commentate on the Pakistan Super League.

It comes just days after it was revealed he was in danger of losing his lucrative commentary gig for Australia’s forthcoming tour of India.

Smith downplays cramps ahead of India

Meanwhile, Steve Smith is confident he will recover from a back problem in time for next month’s test tour of India.

Smith played the best innings of his T20 career on Saturday night, stroking his way to an unbeaten 125 as his Sydney Sixers defeated Big Bash rivals Sydney Thunder at the SCG.

Smith’s second straight BBL century was all the more impressive as he stuck his back in the nets on game day.

The former Test captain had to stop his training session Saturday afternoon to rest his back, which was still cramping when the Sixers were on the field.

Smith struggled to run late in the game but was not substituted.

“I just had a few cramps this afternoon,” he said after the game.

“I’m having trouble getting up.

“I’m good at bending (forwards), but going into overtime isn’t ideal. It probably helped my hitting and kept me a little lower.

“It’s a bit stiff, but hopefully I’ll pull it up well.”

Sixers spinner Nathan Lyon missed a second straight BBL game with knee pain, but Smith doesn’t think he or his Test teammate doubts the tour of India, which begins Feb. 9.

“I’m pretty sure we’re going to be fine,” he said.

Opening batting, Smith averaged 131 in his three innings for the Sixers and already hit the most sixes of any in the BBL this summer.

His recent form at the top of the leaderboard comes despite falling out of favor in Australia’s T20I setup and not yet seen as an option to open batting for his country.

Smith played just one of four games in Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign last year.

But the 33-year-old said his recent form has been driven by his love of the game, not a desire to reassert his status as a multi-format player.

“I just came here to play and have fun and help the Sixers succeed,” he said.

“In my first three shots, I hit well in all of them.

“I feel in a good place at the top of the order.

“It’s a place I think most people probably like to hit. It’s been really fun so far.”

– With AAP