Michael Clarke revealed he spoke to Anil Kumble to clear the air over several contentious incidents during the highly charged second Test between the sides in Sydney.
PERTH: Australian batsman Michael Clarke revealed on Sunday he spoke to Indian captain Anil Kumble to clear the air over several contentious incidents during the highly charged second Test between the sides in Sydney.
Clarke, considered Australia's next captain, attracted strong criticism from Kumble in his column in an Indian newspaper for claiming a low catch in slips to remove Sourav Ganguly.
Kumble also criticised Clarke for standing his ground after being caught in slips for a golden duck from the bowling of the Indian skipper in Australia's second innings.
With the third Test at the WACA Ground here just days away and a mediation hearing between Kumble and Australian captain Ricky Ponting expected to take place on Monday, Kumble wrote in the Hindustan Times that the two incidents made it hard for him to continue with a pre-series agreement between the captains to accept the word of fielders.
At one point the third Test even appeared in some doubt, though it now appears certain to go ahead Wednesday.
"I'd like to point out that someone clearly edged the ball to slips in the second innings of the Sydney Test, and stood there even when there was not an iota of doubt over the dismissal.
"He then claimed a catch that showed more than reasonable doubt and said he was 100 per cent certain it was clean," Kumble wrote, clearly referring to Clarke.
Speaking here Sunday, a contrite Clarke said he had spoken to Kumble over the phone and given his version of both incidents.
Clarke said he regretted not walking immediately after he was caught in slips, but still believed he took a fair catch to remove Ganguly.
He said he had even spoken to his parents since the match to get their view of what happened.
Clarke said he had been keen to speak to Kumble ever since the Test and had finally done so on Saturday, claiming the Indian leggie accepted his explanation.
"My main concern was that I wanted to speak to Anil," he said.
"That was my number one priority before I spoke to the media just to let him know that on both cases... number one the catch still to this day I feel 100 per cent positive that I caught the catch fairly and I told him that.
"I said with my dismissal it was more shock and disappointment to be honest more than anything else.
"I sat and waited while Huss (Mike Hussey) and Haydos (Matt Hayden) batted fantastic in the second innings so I was sitting there for a couple of hours dying to get out there and have a bat.
"Failing in the first innings with family and friends all at the game, I was that excited to get out there and do well.
"When I went to cut the ball and it came off my glove and went to slip it was more the shock and disappointment of again failing.
"I spoke to Anil and he was actually very supportive and said, 'Mate I understand'."
"We've played a fair bit of cricket against each other and he knows I'm not the type of person to try and harm the game -- that was the last thing I would want, to put their game in jeopardy."
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