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Michael Clarke’s recent holiday snaps show that he is still a heavy hitter in the cricket world, with the former Aussie star mixing with one of the most powerful men in the sport.
The 44-year-old, who was born in Liverpool, New South Wales, is well known as being one of Australia’s greatest-ever batsmen, ranking sixth on the list of the country’s all-time top run-scorers.
He rose to stardom, ranking as the No 1 Test batsman in the world at one stage of his career, doing so after overcoming the adversity of a back injury, which plagued the former Australia captain during the later stages of his career.
During his glittering 12-year international cricket career, the Aussie would go on to score 8,643 runs across 115 Test matches for Australia, amassing a jaw-dropping 978 fours during that time. He’d also go on to score 13,826 First Class runs for New South Wales.
He’d retire from Test cricket in 2015 following a glittering career, but is still mixing with some big names from the sport.
In fact, pictures from his most recent vacation to Sardinia with his girlfriend, Arabella Sherborne, show the former cricketer spending some time with Lalit Modi, the former chairperson and founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Michael Clarke and his girlfriend Arabella Sherborne have been enjoying a luxurious getaway in Sardinia
Clarke (left), though, has mixed his vacation with a bit of work, appearing to meet up with former IPL chairman Lalit Modi (right)
Clarke, Sherborne, Modi and Rima Bouri (pictured left to right) sat down for dinner during the vacation
Modi has also served as the President of the Rajasthan Cricket Association and was appointed the Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) between 2005 and 2010.
Back in 2013, Modi was banned by the BCCI for ‘indiscipline and misconduct’. He denies any wrongdoing in relation to the ban.
In March, the Prime Minister of Vanuatu ordered the cancellation of the passport of the Indian businessman Modi.
Despite that, he is understood to now live in the United Kingdom, and still wields some influence within the sport.
During his vacation, Clarke was sitting down for dinner with his girlfriend, Sherbourne, as well as Modi and Rima Bouri.
Clarke also published a photograph of himself and the former cricket executive, presenting Modi with one of his Australia jerseys that had been signed by several other members of the team.
In another picture, the pair were seen enjoying what appeared to be a deep conversation by a pool in Sardinia. It appears he may publish some parts of their conversation on his Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, after the former Aussie Test skipper tagged the podcast in the image.
In fact, it appeared Clarke had been filming some content with Modi for his podcast Beyond23
The former Test skipper also filmed an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan (right)
Clarke and Sherborne beamed from ear-to-ear during the lavish holiday, with Clarke taking to Instagram to reveal his interviews with Morgan and Modi would be 'coming soon'
Clarke and Sherborne celebrated their one-year anniversary in May, and now the cricketer has appointed her as his executive assistant
During his Sardinia getaway, Clarke was also pictured filming with journalist Piers Morgan for the podcast. Morgan is known to be a big cricket fanatic.
It comes after a sad detail was revealed that suggested that some of Clarke’s former team-mates have cut him out of their lives.
During a podcast, Phil Rothfield and Andrew Webster had revealed that the cricketer’s former team-mates have very little to do with Clarke.
The revelation stemmed from a confrontation he had in the dressing room with Simon Katich during Australia’s 2009 Test series against South Africa. During a match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which was also Matthew Hayden’s final appearance in the Baggy Green cap.
Clarke had lashed out at delays of the performance of team's song, Under the Southern Cross I Stand. He had been looking to rush off to fulfil plans away from the team.
Katich was unimpressed by his actions, allegedly grabbing the batter by the throat as the confrontation escalated.
After Clarke took over the captaincy, Katich was released from the list of Australia’s centrally contracted players.
