'What hope have I got': Michael Clarke's marriage 'fear' becomes reality
Michael Clarke opened up in his 2016 autobiography about how his parents’ divorce instilled a ‘fear’ inside him that he’d never be able to live up to the standards they set in their relationship.
The former Australian cricket captain announced in a joint statement with with Kyly on Wednesday night that they are divorcing after seven years of marriage.
‘CAN’T BELIEVE IT’: Cricket world in shock over incredible England 'choke'
SAD NEWS: Aussie batsman steps away from cricket after domestic axing
The couple have agreed on a financial settlement and on arrangements to co-parent their four-year-old daughter Kelsey Lee, The Australian reports.
“After living apart for some time, we have made the difficult decision to separate as a couple, amicably," Michael and Kyly told the newspaper.
“With the greatest of respect for each other, we've come to the mutual conclusion that this is the best course for us to take while committed to the co-parenting of our daughter.”
The reported $40 million divorce means Clarke’s fear is now reality, with an extract from his autobiography making for heartbreaking reading.
Clarke revealed in ‘My Story’ how parents Les and Debbie’s 25-year marriage came to an end when his father’s battle with prostate cancer took a major toll on the relationship.
“Their break-up affected me to the core,” Clarke wrote. “When I split up with my then fiancee Lara Bingle in 2010, part of the undercurrent in my thinking is that if a couple like Mum and Dad can’t make it, what hope have I got?
“I don’t even want to start a serious relationship if it’s going to end in a separation. Mum and Dad are my heroes, and their marriage has always been a kind of gold standard for (sister) Leanne and me.
“I can’t imagine myself measuring up to my parents’ partnership. How can I do it, if they can’t? It takes me a long time to get over that fear.”
Clues we all missed that divorce was coming?
Michael and Kyly, both 38, married in 2012. Their daughter was born in 2015, months after the cricketer announced his retirement.
Clarke reportedly moved out of his home with Kyly in Vaucluse five months ago, relocating to the $7 million Bondi apartment they owned together.
Clarke posted a photo at the Bondi pad last week.
He then posted a message on Instagram, telling daughter Kelsey he is “right beside you”.
Clarke played 115 Tests and 245 one-day internationals for Australia, scoring over 17,000 runs at international level.
He has since forged a successful career in the media, while Kyly was recently announced as one of the new judges on Channel 7 renovation show House Rules.
She also runs her own company ‘Lyfestyled by Kyly Clarke’.
“We’d like to acknowledge the wonderful support we’ve had from family and friends, and at this time request privacy so that we can manage this next stage of our lives,” the statement read.
with AAP
