Australia captain Michael Clarke has announced he will not play in the Big Bash League in January.
Australian skipper to focus on his international duties
Australia captain Michael Clarke has announced he will not play in the Big Bash League in January.
Clarke was handed the reins of the Australia team in Test and one-day cricket following Ricky Ponting's decision to stand down following the World Cup in March and he has decided to concentrate on that role during what will be a busy time for the national side.
The right-hander will make his Test captaincy debut in Sri Lanka next month before a busy summer schedule against South Africa and India, the world's top-two Test nations, as well as New Zealand.
With the Big Bash League due to be staged in the midst of those Test series, the 30-year-old, who has shunned the Indian Premier League to concentrate on his Australia duties before, will skip the newly-franchised tournament.
The Sydney Sixers had hoped to entice Clarke to play for them.
Prioritise
"With the greatest respect to everybody involved in the KFC T20 Big Bash League, I will not be committing for this year," Clarke said.
"My goal is to play Twenty20 cricket domestically, for sure.
"But at the moment, I want to prioritise my time and commitment to my role with the Australian team.
"We have a big six months ahead, and my commitment and focus is with those teams.
"I am also only available for one BBL game this year, and that was a consideration as well."
Clarke and Mitchell Johnson will be the only Cricket Australia-contracted players not to take part.
