Australian captain Michael Clarke has joined Kevin Pietersen in having a pop at the English cricket team, accusing James Anderson of fabrication in the fast bowler's autobiography.
In an interview with GQ Australia, Clarke claimed Anderson's story about striking the "arrogant" Australian with a cricket pad during the 2006/07 Asheswas completely false.
"That one was news to me. But I hope it sold Jimmy a few books," Clarke said.
Clarke touched on a number of other topics in the candid interview, including the infamous 'homework-gate' saga that in 2013 rocked the Australian team under then-coach Mickey Arthur.
Mitchell Johnson, Usman Khawaja, James Pattinson and then vice-captain Shane Watson all received suspensions after failing to to complete written work. Clarke supported his coach, who was eventually sacked, and the batsman said he had no regrets over his role in the scandal.
"It was horrible. But we were at a stage as a team where something needed to happen or we'd never turn it around," Clarke said. "We were letting ourselves down, not representing Australian cricket as we should have been and playing such terrible cricket together that we looked doomed to stay ranked as fifth or sixth in the world.
"It was rock bottom, but also where we drew a line in the sand and said, 'This is where the team's going. If you're not on board, you're not welcome."
Clarke also said he would provide complete support to teammates if they were to come out as gay.
"I don't care about race or colour or sexuality. If he's good enough to play, he's in," Clarke said. "And if a bloke wants to come out and have me at the press conference to announce it, I would stand tall beside him all the way."
