Warne offers support to Clarke over relationship breakdown

Wellington, Mar 19(ANI): Former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne has called up vice captain Michael Clarke to offer support following concerns that the youngster may be distressed in the wake of his relationship breakdown with fiancee Lara Bingle.

Warne's manager James Erskine said that the legend, who is currently playing for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, felt a sense of duty to help Clarke, as the batsman had provided emotional support during the leg-spinner's marital woes.

"Shane is in India with the IPL and has talked to Michael Clarke over the phone. I don't know the contents of those conversations, but I know he was thinking about Michael and wanted to help him," The Daily Telegraph quoted Erskine, as saying.

"He's had his own trials and tribulations and the support Michael has given him has been reciprocated here. Shane was the one who rang Michael. At various times throughout their friendship they have been there for each other and this is another example," he added.

Clarke had skipped the last three ODIs of the Chappell Hadlee Trophy against the Black Caps to rush home to Sydney to see Bingle, who was fending off a series of negative headlines over a nude-photo scandal.

The celebrity couple ended their engagement last Friday and Clarke returned to the familiar environment of the Test squad in Wellington on Monday amid massive media interest.

The 28-year-old's decision to abandon the tour had attracted criticism in cricket circles with former players Ian Chappell and Mark Waugh questioning whether he was fit to one day replace Ponting as captain. (ANI)