MICHAEL Clarke, the Australia captain, will take no part in the Twenty20 Big Bash League this summer, preferring to concentrate on his international commitments.
Extensive negotiations between Clarke, his management and the Sydney Sixers were unable to reach a workable compromise between the batsman’s desire for rest and preparation in-between Test series and Cricket Australia’s desire to have as many contracted players as possible taking part in the BBL. Clarke had also conducted talks with numerous other teams.
“With the greatest respect to everybody involved in the T20 Big Bash League, I will not be committing for this year,” Clarke said in a statement. “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’s decision means both he and Mitchell Johnson will sit out the competition, while every other CA-contracted player, including the likes of Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey, take part.
As CA’s most high profile figure, Clarke’s absence from the BBL launch in Sydney next week will be notable, but the latest instance of his degenerative back problems, during a practice fixture at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane last week, provided a harsh reminder that physical management must be a priority for the national captain.
Stuart Clark, general manager of the Sixers, said Clarke’s was a difficult decision, but a logical one in the circumstances that confronted him.
“Michael has chosen to concentrate on international cricket and I wish him all the best in that; we haven’t shut the door on him playing for the Sixers in the future,” Clark told ESPNcricinfo.
“I think it would’ve been a difficult decision, he’s got a lot to offer the BBL, but he’s thought about it and decided to concentrate on the Australian team.”
Mike McKenna, the BBL project owner and CA’s head of marketing, said he could see why Clarke’s decision had been made.
“We understand and respect his decision,” McKenna said, “and while we will miss him, the T20 BBL already offers fans a galaxy of international and national stars which will help galvanise fan excitement in year one.”
Teams have finalised their initial lists of at least 14 players, with some squads having named their full 18-man groups.
The remaining teams can wait until December to fill out their playing rosters. The Sydney Sixers have named England’s Michael Lumb as their first overseas player, while in other final-day appointments, the fast bowler Ben Edmondson will return to Western Australia to play with the Perth Scorchers;
Chris Swan has signed with the Brisbane Heat; and the Sixers locked in Dominic Thornely and Ian Moran. (ESPN Cricinfo)