MATTHEW Hayden has made the stunning revelation that Michael Clarke once threatened to hand his baggy green cap back if he was forced to field at bat-pad.

The Queensland cricket legend was giving an insight into how the retiring Test skipper has polarised teammates and the public.

“I’ll never forget the day that Justin Langer couldn’t go bat-pad because he had head injuries,’’ Hayden said on Triple M Brisbane.

“We needed someone and usually it goes to the youngest in the side.

”He (Clarke) said – “If I have to wear that, I will hand my baggy green back.”

”The thing is it’s an indictment on Michael. But it’s in context of this conversation to say that he knew that he didn’t want to do that, he was skilful in other places.

”But in hindsight we should have said mate that’s exactly what will happen, we will have your baggy green back and that’s the way it will roll.

“But he learnt from that, he became a much better person and a much better player through those lessons.’’

Hayden’s extraordinary insight came as Clarke rubbished reports of upheaval in the camp potentially leading to him retiring from international cricket.

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Clarke claimed it was a “load of s--t” there was a split in the camp over players’ wives and girlfriends on tour and insisted the Australian players were as tight as any group he had been a part of.

Hayden said Clarke often ruffled his feathers and polarised Australian teammates.

“He would polarise people … the team is a reflection of people in society it’s no different,’’ Hayden said.

“Michael always had really strong opinions and when you’ve got strong opinions and you’re a young fella in the group, he would polarise people.

“He had a hot head, he wore his heart on his sleeve and he had a very definite opinion of who he was and where he wanted to go.

“Sometimes those (Clarke’s opinions) ruffled feathers, I know for a fact that they ruffled mine at times.”