MICHAEL Clarke celebrated

Michael Clarke leaving RAVESI's bar in Bondi, Sydney after celebrating his 30th birthday, getting a piggy-back by family friend Sean McCormack. Picture: Media Oceanic Source: The Sunday Telegraph

MICHAEL Clarke celebrated his 30th birthday and his appointment as Australian cricket captain with a marathon party across Sydney into the small hours of yesterday morning.

The celebrations took in three venues on Friday, ending with the glamour batsman leaving a Bondi pub with a group of close friends.

The day began with lunch at Rockpool Bar and Grill in the Sydney CBD, with Clarke surrounded by close confidants.

Among the group, who took over a private dining room, were Channel Seven Morning Show host Larry Emdur, spin doctor Grant Vandenberg, celebrity accountant Anthony Bell, retired footballer Luke Ricketson and businessman David Coe.

Rockpool owner-chef Neil Perry dropped in to say hello after cooking up the steaks.

Clarke said he had paced himself, drinking just two glasses of red wine over lunch.

"We had a cracker of a day," Clarke told The Sunday Telegraph. "It was a great day.

"It's the first time I've been able to have a birthday at home in about five years. We're always on tour."

Later, Clarke met a small group, including his father Les, girlfriend Kyly Boldy and two of her female friends, at his Bondi apartment.

They watched the Manly Sea Eagles versus South Sydney Rabbitohs rugby league match on television, leaving at half-time to celebrate at Ravesi's Hotel.

Onlookers say the group, who were partying in the hotel's upstairs bar, ordered several bottles of Veuve Clicquot champagne.

"Michael looked very jolly," one patron said. "They were drinking champagne and dancing, and people kept coming up to Michael all night and congratulating him."

About 1.15am, the group ventured home, walking along Campbell Parade to Clarke's penthouse apartment.

At one point, the cricketer tripped and stumbled to the ground outside McDonald's before getting to his feet.

"I don't drink a lot these days, and I didn't have too much," he said.

Clarke also took a "piggy-back" ride from family friend Sean McCormack.