I am not gay, clarifies James Faulkner after bizarre ‘boyfriend’ post

Sydney: Australian cricketer James Faulkner clarified that he was not gay on Tuesday after a post about his “boyfriend” on social media was widely interpreted as a landmark coming-out statement.

Faulkner shared the post late Monday, showing him celebrating his 29th birthday with his mother and friend Rob Jubb.

“Birthday dinner with the boyfriend (bestmate!!!)... #togetherfor5years,” said on his verified Instagram account, quickly racking up 20,000 likes and around 1,000 comments.

Most believed the message was the allrounder’s way of revealing his sexuality, which would have made him the first male professional cricketer in the country to confirm they were gay.

It prompted hundreds of positive messages, including from fellow Australian cricketers Glenn Maxwell, Brett Lee and Shaun Tait. “Great courage mate, bet u feel better,” Tait wrote.

But as reaction to Faulkner’s post gained momentum, he took to social media again saying “there seems to be a misunderstanding”.

“I am not gay... (Jubb) is just a great friend. Last night marked five years of being house mates!” he wrote. He also praised the response to the coming-out that never was.