MELBOURNE: Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has undergone his sixth surgery for skin cancer, with the latest procedure involving the removal of a lesion from his nose. The 44-year-old 2015 World Cup-winning skipper shared a post-operative photo on Instagram, urging people to prioritise regular skin checks, particularly in countries like Australia with high sun exposure.

“Skin cancer is real! Especially in Australia. Another one cut out of my nose today. A friendly reminder to get your skin checked. Prevention is better than cure but in my case, regular check-ups and early detection is key,” Clarke wrote on Instagram.

Clarke was first diagnosed with skin cancer in 2006 during his playing career and has since undergone multiple procedures. In 2019, he had three non-melanoma lesions removed, including one from his forehead. In 2023, he required 27 stitches after a basal cell carcinoma was removed from his chest, after which he partnered with the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation to raise awareness about skin cancer prevention.

Clarke retired from international cricket in 2015 after captaining Australia to the ODI World Cup title, and he continues to advocate for early detection and regular skin examinations.