UPDATE: Michael Clarke has backed away from a bombshell report that he wants to make a cricket comeback, saying the story is "out of control".

The former Australia captain confirmed he has made an offer of help to Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland as the game reels from the ball tampering scandal in South Africa.

But Clarke said he had not made a "formal offer" to come back to play cricket and denied a claim in a News Corp report for which he was interviewed that he will return to the practice nets during his time in India commentating on the IPL.

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

In an extensive interview with News Corp that was published on Sunday, Clarke was quoted as saying he "would do anything to help the Australian cricket team".

He also expressed concern about how his offer of help would be received.

"To be honest I'm so nervous about the headline and how it's perceived," he said.

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"But I can't just sit here and do nothing - I feel I owe the game too much."

Test captain Steve Smith, vice-captain Dave Warner and fellow batsman Cameron Bancroft have all accepted their lengthy bans stemming from the ball-tampering scandal.

Their suspensions leave a gaping hole in the Australian top order.

The report said Clarke, who retired after losing the Ashes series in England three years ago, was willing to play for free.

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Clarke added he is yet to hear a response from Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive.

The 37-year-old Clarke battled with a chronic back problem in the latter stages of a glittering career in which he scored 8,643 runs in 115 Tests and chalked up 28 centuries.

But he is confident he is fitter than he has been for years and desperate to give something back to the sport in the wake of the disastrous end to the South African tour.

"I've never cared about age. Brad Hogg played at 45," Clarke was quoted as saying.

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"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."

The 37-year-old hasn't played a competitive match since turning out in Sydney grade cricket in September 2016.