Michael Clarke shows off his abs after shock split from Pip Edwards 

It emerged last week that Michael Clarke and Pip Edwards called it quits on their whirlwind romance several weeks ago.

And on Friday, Michael looked to be taking the split in his stride as he luxuriated on board a private boat on Sydney Harbour.

In a picture-perfect snap shared to his Instagram Stories, the retired cricketer, 40, showed off his six-pack abs in just a pair of a vibrant board shorts.

Michael stretched out his frame on a Louis Vuitton towel and accessorised with a leopard print bucket hat, stylish sunglasses and a necklace, as he soaked up the sun.

He also shared a near-identical photo to his official Instagram page, captioning it: 'Finish strong!!!! Been a big year for all. Bring on 2022.'

Last week, Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed that Michael and Pip, 41, who rekindled their relationship in June after a previous split, ended things for good several weeks ago but remain friends.

A source close to the pair confirmed the split, saying: 'The decision was mutual. They're two best friends who decided to part ways as a couple earlier this month, but continue their friendship.'

Michael and Pip were last pictured together on December 5 when they shared a selfie from The Boathouse restaurant in Sydney's Rose Bay.

'It's the weekend,' the former Australian cricket captain wrote alongside the photo, which showed him cosying up to the P.E Nation founder in front of a glass of rosé.

Pip shared the same photo to her own account, and also posted several snaps of their meals, including fresh seafood and pasta.

Just days earlier, Pip had insisted the pair were still going strong as she attended the Moët & Chandon Effervescence event in Sydney.

When asked about Michael, she told Daily Mail Australia: 'Yeah, he's not here tonight. He's at a third-party sponsored event and that's all I'm going to say about that.'

The on-again-off-again couple are believed to have got back together in June, but their reunion wasn't reported until September when they were spotted buying açaí bowls in Bondi with Michael's daughter Kelsey Lee, six.

The longtime friends had previously dated from early 2020 until February 2021.

After their break-up, Pip had a fling with Bondi restaurateur Cameron Northway for about four months, but that fizzled out and she got back with Michael.

The batsman was married to former model Kyly Clarke (née Boldy), 40, from 2012 until 2019, but the couple didn't announce their separation until February 2020.