Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke combined to win many matches for Australia but their relationship turned bitter due to the 'IPL money'.
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The Indian Premier League (IPL) has changed monetary fortunes for a lot of cricketers since its inception and made them overnight stars. However, while the big money fetched through the lucrative tournament has made some youngsters fulfill their dreams, it has also spoiled some well known camaraderie.
If former Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds is to be believed, then, the IPL money was the major reason behind his fallout with his national teammate Michael Clarke.
The big-hitter was bought for INR 5.4 crore by the now defunct Deccan Chargers in IPL 2008, making him the costliest overseas player.
“We became close. When he (Clarke) came into the side I used to bat with him a lot. So, when he came into the side I really looked after him. That built a bond,” Symonds said on The Brett Lee Podcast.
“Matthew Hayden said to me — when the IPL started, I got a pretty penny to go and play in the IPL — he identified it as there was a bit of jealousy that potentially came into the relationship (with Clarke) there.
“I guess Money does funny things. It’s a good thing but it can be a poison and I reckon it may have poisoned our relationship. I’ve got enough respect for him to probably not go into detail about what was said.
“My friendship with him is no longer and I’m comfortable with that, but I’m not gonna sit here and start slinging mud.”
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The duo formed a formidable pair for Australia and won many matches together including the World Cup. However, Symonds didn’t share the best of relationship with Clarke, in the twilight zone of his career.
Symonds had also criticized the leadership approach from Clarke in 2015. And, in return, the former Australia captain opened up on how Symonds would turn up drunk while playing for his country.
“Andrew Symonds went on TV to criticise my leadership. I’m sorry, but he is not a person to judge anyone on leadership,” Clarke wrote in his 2015 Ashes Diary. “This is a guy who turned up drunk to play for his country. It’s pretty rich for him to be throwing rocks.”
