Michael Clarke not quite ready to exit the rollercoaster ride Michael Clarke: "I know it's the back half of my career, but it's not the end. I have plenty of time. Asked earlier this week if he felt like the entire nation had a theory on whether he should play in the first Test against India as he battles a hamstring injury, the Australian skipper Michael Clarke immediately elevated the question to the next level. "They have a theory on my life, unfortunately," Clarke interjected. It is tough, but they're entitled to their opinions. I've probably learnt to not read much. It's water off a duck's back. It's not just the criticism - it's the positive stuff as well. I just try to stay as even as I can. I've played long enough now to know it's a rollercoaster ride, and I know how to handle it. Clarke told Fairfax Media this from the second level of a private residence at Darling Point on Monday night, with the harbour and bridge sparkling in the background. He had just been revealed as the new ambassador for Hublot watches. It's another lucrative endorsement that makes him one of the wealthiest sportspeople in the country. Immaculately dressed, reluctantly wearing make-up from hours of photo shoots, he was calm and typically charming to the well-heeled crowd that barely contained a member of the cricket fraternity, save for Channel Nine's Mark Nicholas and the ABC's voice of summer, Jim Maxwell. In truth, his mood defied the rollercoaster that's been out of control behind the scenes for months, seemingly coming to halt - for now - with reports on Tuesday he will rule himself out of the first Test. Clarke had greater concerns late in the day, when he rushed to St Vincent's hospital to be by the bedside of close mate Phil Hughes, who was in a critical condition after being struck by a bouncer in the Sheffield Shield game at the SCG. Since injuring his hamstring in Zimbabwe in August, some of the highest-placed figures in Australian cricket say Clarke has become difficult to deal with as he belligerently attempts to regain fitness. He denies any fallout with Darren Lehmann, but several sources speak of growing tension with everyone from the coach to high-performance manager Pat Howard to chairman of selectors Rod Marsh. And now chief executive James Sutherland, who has issued a please explain to a stroppy captain who stands accused of plotting his own course back from injury. In the opposing corner, those in the Clarke camp report that he's angry and bemused with lack of communication from his superiors. Presumably, none of these people have heard of mobile phones. It's been said before that Clarke is a "control freak." What is not in dispute is his genuine pride and love of playing cricket for his country. He is always desperate to take the field. When we spoke at 7.30pm on Monday, Clarke was adamant that the path back would be via grade cricket, with Western Suburbs, on Saturday. After Wests captain Jeff Cook declared his side's first innings closed at 0-17 last Saturday to ensure the Australian captain got a bat at some stage, the Clarke bashing immediately started. The easy assumption was that he'd put himself ahead of the game, and certainly above the importance of the Sydney grade competition. It's an accusation that has been levelled at him before, especially in the smouldering aftermath of the Simon Katich throat-grabbing incident four years ago. When we spoke on Monday evening, Clarke went to great lengths to explain he had no influence on Cook's declaration. He didn't even know it had happened. "I want it very clearly known that I had no idea about that," he insisted, repeatedly. I got a phone call at 12 o'clock on the Saturday. I can't believe anybody would do that for me. Jeff Cook has always been a legend, I've always loved him, but I had absolutely no idea ... I told him that I feel for the boys. They turn up every week and I want them to win the game - not jeopardise first-innings points. He's an absolute legend for thinking of me, because there was no guarantee that I was going to play club cricket. I'm actually speechless. Whether Clarke played a role or not is a moot point. The inescapable fact is that it was yet another drama. Another Clarke headline. It's reminiscent of Jana Pittman. They used to call it "Jana Drama." Now we've got "Clarke Chaos." Not all of it is of his own doing. That was never more evident than when Clarke returned to Australia after the Test series loss to Pakistan in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. A television reporter flung out a question about him being under pressure to retain his position. The issue of whether Clarke was under pressure -when he wasn't actually under pressure at all - then dominated sports coverage for days. "It's hard, because I feel like I've earned the respect for people to look beyond two Test matches," Clarke says when pressed on the issue. They can ask the question. But that's the sport we play, the country we live in. If you're not performing, someone is going to take your spot. I don't mind. When you're not performing well, I don't mind being questioned by people writing the truth, the facts. Clarke's claim that he doesn't read any press about himself is in stark contrast to the days when he was known to pore over every single syllable written or said about him. If he had picked up a newspaper, though, he'd see another story about his left hammy. To that end, as he constantly battles his complex back problem at the age of 33, the easy question is whether Clarke realises he's edging closer to retirement. "Probably not," he said. I think I'm realistic: once you get past 30, it's getting closer. I've always said I'll never play to 38. That's not my personality. I know it's the back half of my career, but it's not the end. Plenty of time. No dramas at all.