IPL improved Indo-Aussies relationship says Clarke

Sydney, June 11 (ANI): Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke believes that the interaction between Indian and Australian cricketers in the Indian Premier League has helped to reduce the bitterness of the 2007-08 “Monkey Gate” series Down Under.
Clarke, who is preparing for the challenges ahead with a gruelling regime of fitness, including runs across stretches of desert, has now acknowledged that both players and administrators of both sides disgraced themselves during that series.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) also reinforced its utter incompetence when an ugly Sydney Test finished with a racial abuse hearing involving Andrew Symonds and Harbhajan Singh.
Clarke was a central figure in the match and admits his behaviour contributed to its degeneration.
“There are certain players in both teams who look back on what happened there and wish it didn’t happen. But you learn from that. There are so many things in your life that you learn from. For me as a player that’s one of them,” Clarke told The Daily Telegraph.
“I was caught at slip off my glove and didn’t walk. It’s an area where I look back now and wonder ‘what were you thinking’. It was clearly off my glove. I do like to wait until the umpire gives me out but when it’s clear like that get off the field. I’ve learnt from that. Hopefully I don’t make the same mistake again,” he added.
Despite the animosity of the time Clarke believes that Test and one-day series in India since and the mixing of many players from all nations in the IPL has created a greater understanding between Indian and Australian players.
“It (the IPL) has built relationships between players no doubt. Guys play against each other and then go to IPL and play with each other. I think that’s great for the game,” said Clarke. (ANI)