Michael and Kyly Clarke’s grand Southern Highlands estate, which they bought just two and a half years ago, is back on the market for sale, hinting at an end to the Australian cricket team captain’s dream of opening a rural cricket academy.
The newly renovated 93-hectar Round Hill was picked up by the newlywed power couple in August 2012 for a reported sum of about 3.25 million dollars but has just been listed with 6.5 million dollars price expectations. And before the Clarkes purchased the Berrima estate it had last traded for 4.125 million dollars in 2006.
After the 2012 purchase, Michael had revealed that Kyly was instrumental in purchasing the property. He had said that that he had dreamt about doing something like this all his life but added that he didn’t know how to do it, News.com.au reported.
Michael had also said that Kyly’s been amazing, adding that she took the dream and turned it into a reality, claiming that her experience in design and property management would help make this academy happen, and he couldn’t be happier about it.
At the time the Australian captain had said buying the estate was the first step in realizing a lifelong dream to found his own cricket academy that would educate youngsters in all facets of the game, including fitness, diet, technique and media skills.
Instead, the Michael Clarke Cricket Academy was launched in July last year near the couple’s home in Bellevue Hill. The academy camps make the most of the five-star sports facilities at exclusive Scots College.
Cameron McKillop of McKillop Property in Bowral, who sold the celebrity couple the Compton Park Rd homestead, said that although he couldn’t confirm why the Clarkes were sell up he said the academy was a no go. He claimed that at this stage it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.
A vast private estate, Round Hill had been home to a cricket fan before the Clarke’s called it their weekender, the report added. (ANI)