Australia great Michael Clarke could be an option for Middlesex
Friday 12 February 2016 17:31, UK
Middlesex director of cricket Angus Fraser says the county may be set to sign former Australia captain Michael Clarke for two months of the 2016 season.
Clarke retired from all cricket following the Ashes series last summer but has now decided to make an appearance for his club Western Suburbs next weekend.
And Middlesex have two months in the middle of summer when they will be looking for an overseas player, because Adam Voges will have commitments with Australia.
The county have already signed New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum for the T20 Blast and if Clarke arrives as well, the respective captains from last year's 50-over World Cup final will find themselves in the same line-up.
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Fraser told The Telegraph that Clarke was in his thoughts but that Middlesex fans should not get too excited just yet.
"We are in discussions with a number of players and I would be lying if I said his name had not been mentioned," said the former England bowler.
"There is a long way to go before a serious conversation takes place.
"It will come down to him at the end of the day. He has to decide if he is fit and wants to do it. Then we have to see what we want and if he fits the bill."
I take it as a compliment that people are insisting I'm playing more than this one game, but I don't think anyone should be worried about what I'm going to do.
Clarke's decision to play for Western Suburbs has prompted speculation about whether he might return to international cricket but the 34-year-old is adamant that the idea is premature.
"I know there is a lot of talk about this being more than just this one game, but it honestly hasn't been a consideration for me," he said.
"If I'm enjoying it then I will have other considerations like BBL (Big Bash League), county cricket, do I want to play Sheffield Shield? But I don't know.
"I take it as a compliment that people are insisting I'm playing more than this one game, but I don't think anyone should be worried about what I'm going to do.
"This is about helping the club that gave me my start."
