Michael Clarke to Simon Katich: 'Move on'

Michael Clarke and Simon Katich have been exchanging barbs, spurred by Clarke's autobiography. Photo / Getty

Michael Clarke's autobiography caused a massive stir this month.

It started with the infamous Shane Watson "homeworkgate" controversy, revealing the time Clarke called his former vice-captain a "tumour" to the team.

Then it moved to the dressing room of 2009, with former opener Simon Katich joining the list of players caught in a scuffle with the former Test captain.

Clarke revealed he was "pissed off" at the time Katich grabbed him by the shirt when he wanted to get the team song sung quickly after a win in order to get to another function.

Katich joined the fray earlier this week after he slammed Clarke in the media, saying it was "ironic" for his former captain to be calling anyone a tumour to the Baggy Green unit.

In what has been an incredibly tumultuous time for Australian cricket culture, Clarke says it is now time to bury the hatchet and move forward.

"Once people read what I said about Shane Watson and Simon Katich they'll see I've been really critical of myself in those periods," Clarke told Jo & Lehmo on GOLD 104.3 on Friday.

"After the event between Simon and I - it was done and dusted in my opinion. I can't believe eight years on from that event we're still talking about it.

"My message to everybody - including Simon - is move on, let's get on with life, far out."

Clarke also opened up about the Phillip Hughes inquest, revealing he stayed away from the court case in an effort to distance himself from an incredibly traumatic time in his life.

"I stayed away from the inquest because I couldn't take myself back there and relive it," he said.

"I especially feel for the family. The only thing they wanted to get out of the inquest is they didn't want another young boy or young girl to go through what Phillip's gone through."

Clarke also made the suggestion that the inquest only scratched the surface of a number of important questions.

"I think there was a lot of stuff that came out of the inquest that hasn't been talked about enough," he said.

Clarke revealed he was incredibly protective of his inner circle and personal dealings throughout his career and said his book is his chance to let Australia know the real Michael Clarke.

"I think people will definitely see another side to me after they read the book. They'll see me more open and honest. I had my guard up my whole career, I was really protective of my personal life.

"Don't get me wrong, there's times in my career where I made mistakes. If I had time again I would have made different decisions.

"I was so determined to do my job. Something must have been right in that team for us to have gone from number five in the world to number one in such a short period."

Clarke also opened up on his rocky relationship with Andrew Symonds in an interview with 3AW earlier this week.

"I haven't spoken to Andrew for a long time - that's extremely disappointing," he said.

"I would love to catch up with Simmo.

"I went out of my way on a number of times - I flew to Brisbane to see him - I'd love for that friendship to go back to how it was."

Clarke said that while he caused a lot of controversy in his time at the captain's helm, his results and attitude were well-received by the majority of players he led.

"I reckon I played with close to 100 players for Australia," Clarke explained.

"I reckon there might 90 other players who might come out and say Michael's leadership actually helped my game, improve my game and that I do still have a great relationship with."