Clarke regrets ‘Monkeygate’ incident
Australia captain repentant on not walking during 2008 Sydney Test.
MELBOURNE:
Australia captain Michael Clarke is determined to avoid making the mistakes committed during the controversial 2008 Sydney Test against India when the world champions tour in December.
The Sydney Test witnessed the infamous ‘Monkeygate’ fiasco that saw India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh allegedly calling Andrew Symonds a ‘monkey’. Clarke said that the incident was highly unfortunate, one which should never have happened.
“There are players in both teams who look back on what happened and wish it hadn’t,” said Clarke. “There are things in life that you learn from. For me that’s one of them.”
The Australia captain also recalled a moment in the match that directly involved him.
“I was caught at slip and didn’t walk,” he said. “I look back now and wonder ‘what were you thinking’. I wait until the umpire gives me out but when it’s clear I get off the field.”
Clarke termed the impact of the Indian Premier League “as great for the game”, saying that relationship between cricketers from different countries had improved.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2011.
Australia captain Michael Clarke is determined to avoid making the mistakes committed during the controversial 2008 Sydney Test against India when the world champions tour in December.
The Sydney Test witnessed the infamous ‘Monkeygate’ fiasco that saw India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh allegedly calling Andrew Symonds a ‘monkey’. Clarke said that the incident was highly unfortunate, one which should never have happened.
“There are players in both teams who look back on what happened and wish it hadn’t,” said Clarke. “There are things in life that you learn from. For me that’s one of them.”
The Australia captain also recalled a moment in the match that directly involved him.
“I was caught at slip and didn’t walk,” he said. “I look back now and wonder ‘what were you thinking’. I wait until the umpire gives me out but when it’s clear I get off the field.”
Clarke termed the impact of the Indian Premier League “as great for the game”, saying that relationship between cricketers from different countries had improved.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 12th, 2011.