VETERAN cricket reporter Robert Craddock has revealed what happened in the lead-up to a bombshell report that emerged on the weekend about Michael Clarke wanting to make a comeback for the Australian Test team in the wake of the ball tampering scandal in South Africa.

The former captain — who retired after losing the Ashes series in England three years ago — said he’d do anything to help the national team and the game in Australia and had messaged Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland to tell him that but was yet to receive a response.

The story gained widespread exposure before Clarke, who is in India on commentating duties for the IPL, took to Twitter to clarify his position.

This article is out of control! Let me make very clear that I have not sent any formal offer to James Sutherland to come back and play cricket. I sent him a message as a friend offering to help Australian cricket in ANY way I could (this could mean mentoring the under 14s) — Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) April 8, 2018

I won’t be batting in the nets in India in preparation for a comeback 😂😂😂 and as I have always said the game owes me nothing, I owe it everything. Have a great Sunday 👍🏏 — Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) April 8, 2018

However, Craddock says Clarke knew exactly what story would be written when his management contacted The Daily Telegraph to ask for an interview.

“He is one of the least self-aware major figures you can get,” Craddock said on SEN’s Whateley. “Let’s just go through this timeline.

“The Sunday Telegraph got a call from Clarke’s management late last week, so (journalist) Phil Rothfield was basically pulled off the gossip rounds to go and have coffee with Michael Clarke to do a story with him, which Michael Clarke wanted.

“He wanted that story in the paper.

“If you pull up the online version of it, it has an embedded recording with Michael Clarke.

“Yeah, sure, the headline might have been a little bit stronger than the story, but the story was there.”

In his interview with The Daily Telegraph, Clarke said he is fitter than he has been for years and desperate to give something back to the sport which has been rocked by the recent cheating controversy.

“I’ve never cared about age. Brad Hogg played at 45,” Clarke said. “I don’t think it’s about a number. I think it’s about commitment and devotion.

“It’s like getting back on a bike. I’m as fit and healthy as I’ve ever been. The time away has been great for my body.

“To be honest, I’m so nervous about the headline and how it’s perceived.

“But I can’t just sit here and do nothing. I feel I owe the game too much.”

The 37-year-old battled with a chronic back problem in the latter stages of a glittering career that saw him score 8643 runs in 115 Tests and chalk up 28 centuries.

The reaction on social media to news of a possible Clarke comeback was largely negative and Craddock isn’t keen on the idea.

“He wanted to make a comeback and was putting his toe in the water ... my feeling is no way,” Craddock said.

“He is 37-years-old, he was gone as a batsman three years ago and I can’t help thinking this whole thing was less about Michael Clarke restoring Australia’s reputation than it was about Michael Clarke restoring his own.”

@mclarke23 offering to come out of retirement if asked by Cricket Australia isn’t the worst idea. If only for a summer he has the experience to fill leadership vacuum in Aussie test team until new blood comes along. Make him Paine’s vice-captain though, not skipper. — Ed Jackson (@edjacko) April 7, 2018

10 days ago, when Michael Clarke first painted himself as the saviour, it seems he didn't hear us all scream noooooo ... So let's try that again, with a little more vigour.

NOOOOOO!!!! THANKS BUT NO THANKS 🙅‍♂️🙄 — Mary Collier (@mtc01) April 7, 2018

The whole country can wake up this morning and rest easy, knowing Michael Clarke has offered his services to help out the Australian cricket team! Phew... #mememe — Tim Hipsley (@TimHipsley) April 7, 2018

Really? Michael Clarke to captain the Australian Cricket Team again .. https://t.co/e1SUAgJLsm — Veitchy on Sport (@veitchynz) April 7, 2018

Michael Clarke has announced he wants to lead Australia in Test match cricket again.



Haven't we already been punished enough? — Just Dennis Things (@DennisCricket_) April 7, 2018

The day after the ball tampering scandal erupted in Cape Town, an emotional Clarke was asked whether he would consider returning to skipper the national team three years after his retirement.

“If I was asked by the right people, then I would think about my answer,” Clarke said on Channel Nine’s Sports Sunday.

Clarke was pressed several times to give a committal answer but while he didn’t completely rule out a return, he looked pained by the fact he may even need to consider such a scenario.

“This is so raw right now. This is not about me at all,” he said. “This is about Australian cricket and the future of Australian cricket and where these current players and this current structure and leadership sits, and my job is to make sure I can help this game come back from this.

“I work for Channel Nine and I sit on this desk today and I really hope that that young man (Steve Smith) finds a way to be able to captain Australia.”

Asked what his wife thought of a possible recall, Clarke again left the sensational possibility of a comeback open.

“She just sent me a text message with, what’s the emoji? The monkey has the hands over her eyes,” he said. “She is at home waiting for the answer as well, I imagine.”

— with AAP