DUBAI // Now that Michael Clarke is no longer one half of the "Australian Posh and Becks", perhaps he will start to get some of the recognition he deserves from the nation's cricket supporters.
That is the hope of Dean Jones, the former Australia batsman, who is backing the troubled middle-order batsman to emerge a stronger player for his recent off-field tribulations.
Clarke returned to the back pages from the gossip columns when he made a satisfying century in the first Test of the Chappell-Hadlee Series in New Zealand last week.
The New South Wales batsman had to rely on a late flight from Australia to make the start of the game, having returned home to deal with a media storm surrounding his fiancee, Lara Bingle. Their high-profile relationship has since ended.
"Michael Clarke has been given a bad rap for a few years now," said Jones.
"He was engaged to the most beautiful girl. He gave her an Aston Martin, an A$200,000 (Dh670,000) ring and I think that's cool. He was in love with the girl, so that is fine.
"People haven't gravitated to him, for whatever reason. There are a lot of Australian supporters who don't judge him properly. Just because he has bought his fiancee an Aston Martin, and he doesn't hit the big sixes or play the same way as an Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden or a Ricky Ponting, he hasn't got cred.
"This guy went through an ugly time in his life, and he has handled it with dignity. To then come out and punch a hundred, under a bit of pressure - this guy deserves respect. People need to get off his back.
"He has 14 Test hundreds. He averages over 50. Is he a future Australia captain? By gee, he is. I think he has been given a hard time by a lot of people, and now he has got through it.
"Every player worth their salt has come through some sort of adversity, and I reckon he has handled it really well."
Jones, in the Emirates for the Foster's Legends of Cricket dinner, warned that players have to be aware they forgo much of their right to privacy because of the remuneration they get for playing in the modern era.
"Players now are dressed up as superstars, compared to my time when we just played," he said.
"Now it is completely full on. You have to be good on the ground as well as off it, you are judged everywhere you go.
"When you sign the dotted line you know what you are getting into. You are getting the big bucks, and with that comes responsibility.
"They were our Posh and Becks couple before this happened. He had media parking outside his house a year ago, waiting for them to show.
"He is from New South Wales, and I have always said he is good enough to be a Victorian, this kid. I rate him."
@Email:pradley@thenational.ae
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Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
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Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
Rating: 2/5
PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
War
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Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
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2.15pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Arrab, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).
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3.15pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum handicap (TB) Dh200,000 2,000m; Winner: Dolmen, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
3.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m; Winner: Amang Alawda, Sandro Paiva, Bakhit Al Ketbi.
4.15pm: The Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 1,200m; Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
4.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m; Winner: Al Jazi, Jesus Rosales, Eric Lemartinel.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Autumn international scores
Saturday, November 24
Italy 3-66 New Zealand
Scotland 14-9 Argentina
England 37-18 Australia
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The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
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Match info
Manchester United 4
(Pogba 5', 33', Rashford 45', Lukaku 72')
Bournemouth 1
(Ake 45 2')
Red card: Eric Bailly (Manchester United)
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Bournemouth 1 Manchester City 2
Watford 0 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Newcastle United 3 West Ham United 0
Huddersfield Town 0 Southampton 0
Crystal Palace 0 Swansea City 2
Manchester United 2 Leicester City 0
West Bromwich Albion 1 Stoke City 1
Chelsea 2 Everton 0
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Burnley 1
Liverpool 4 Arsenal 0
