MICHAEL Clarke has accused England’s James Anderson of fabricating a story about striking the “arrogant” Australian captain with a cricket pad.

In a candid interview with GQ, Clarke also opened up on his relationship with coach Darren Lehmann and the impact of homework-gate.

Clarke and Lehmann’s relationship came under scrutiny in September when Clarke returned home from Australia’s one-day series in Zimbabwe and publicly defied the coach.

The pair had been at odds over team selection before a humiliating loss against Zimbabwe and Lehmann wanted it to remain behind closed doors.

Clarke, however, said he had “always been open and honest to the media and that’s not going to change”.

Looking back at it the situation, Clarke insisted their relationship was and still is strong.

“He’s like a big brother,” Clarke told GQ. “And sometimes we disagree but there’s always been respect and friendship between us.”

Clarke also touched on the controversial homework-gate scandal that threatened to inflict long-term damage on the national team.

Mitchell Johnson, Usman Khawaja, James Pattinson and then vice-captain Shane Watson were all suspended for failing to complete a written task set by then-coach Mickey Arthur, but Clarke said he had no regrets about his role in the saga.

“It was horrible. But we were at a stage as a team where something needed to happen or we’d never turn it around,” Clarke said.

“We were letting ourselves down, not representing Australian cricket as we should have been and playing such terrible cricket together that we looked doomed to stay ranked as fifth or sixth in the world. It was rock bottom, but also where we drew a line in the sand and said, ‘This is where the team’s going. If you’re not on board, you’re not welcome.’”

And in what is sure to stir further tension between Australia and England, Clarke said fast bowler James Anderson made up the story about striking him with a pad.

“That one was news to me. But I hope it sold Jimmy a few books,” Clarke said.

Clarke also spoke about married life, fame and his playing future, and said he would be provide complete support if a teammate ever came out as gay.

“I don’t care about race or colour or sexuality. If he’s good enough to play, he’s in,” Clarke said.

“And if a bloke wants to come out and have me at the press conference to announce it, I would stand tall beside him all the way.”