MICHAEL CLARKE was the centre of attention of New Zealand media yesterday as news of Lara Bingle's troubles made its way across the ditch on the eve of the Chappell-Hadlee series.
Reporters and cameramen were told to stay off the ground when Australia trained at McLean Park but one lensman broke protocol to zoom in on Clarke from close range. The Australian vice-captain remained patient, but eventually called to team officials: ''Is this guy supposed to be out here? He's following my every move.''
The New Zealand Herald gleefully suggested Kiwi players should raise the subject with Clarke during the first match of the series at McLean Park today. ''New Zealand's cricketers have been supplied with some ideal sledging material to distract Michael Clarke - should they feel the need: the Australian vice-captain's fiancee has become embroiled in a nude picture scandal,'' it wrote. ''Model Lara Bingle today said she would take legal action against her former lover, Australian Rules footballer Brendan Fevola, alleging he distributed a photo of her taken in a bath while the couple shared a brief affair in 2006.''
In the news ... Michael Clarke and Lara Bingle. Photo: Getty Images
Almost as an afterthought, the Herald reported: ''The five-match ODI series between New Zealand and Australia starts in Napier tomorrow.''
The underestimated thickness of Clarke's skin is being tested as much as the steadiness of Nathan Hauritz's nerves will be placed under the microscope when he plays on the postage-stamp sized ground at Napier. McLean Park is a 15,000-seat capacity boutique ground with perilously small boundaries square of the wicket. ''I'm not gong to be bowling 10 overs for 25 runs,'' Hauritz said. ''It's a matter of just accepting it's going to be pretty tough and whenever I get the opportunity to bowl, just trying to stay on as long as I can.
''I've watched a lot of footage of [Kiwi captain] Dan Vettori bowling, and change of pace is the key. I'll try to keep them guessing. If they miss, you hit. That's about it. The Kiwis all play spin pretty well so a mid-pitch ball is going to go for four or six. It's more like damage control.
Setback ... the Bingle photo.
''It does look pretty small here and they're also very fast outfields. 'Punter' [Ricky Ponting] has been a great advocate of mine. I'm just hoping to keep repaying the faith a little bit longer and try to get out of these games unscathed.''
Ponting backed Hauritz to get the job done, and predicted outlandish NZ batsman Brendon McCullum, whose daredevil ''ramp'' shot turned the second Twenty20 game on its head on Sunday night, would be more circumspect in the 50-over tournament.
''We know we have to give the Kiwis a lot of attention,'' Ponting said. ''We really have to make sure we start the series well. Our 50-over cricket has been our strength the last couple of years, and we want to continue that. Regardless of the size of the grounds, spin bowlers have got a big role to play.
''You still have to take risks to try hitting spin bowlers for six in the shortened versions of the game. Nathan's record against some very good opposition … has been very good in all conditions. I expect him to play another big part in the series.''
On McCullum, Ponting added: ''I'd be surprised if he plays the way he did in the T20. He'll probably feel a bit more responsibility going into a 50-over game.''
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