Michael Clarke pick out of Big Bash League


Michael Clarke, the Australia captain, will take no part in the Twenty20 Big Bash League this summer; prefer to focus on his international commitments.

Extensive discussions between Clarke, his organization and the Sydney Sixers were incapable to reach a workable cooperation between the batsman's desire for rest and training in between Test series and Cricket Australia's desire to have as many thin players as possible taking part in the BBL. Clarke had also conduct talks with numerous other teams.

"With the greatest respect to everybody concerned 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 internally, for sure. But at the moment, I want to priorities my time and promise to my role with the Australian team.

"We have a big six months ahead, and my promise and focus is with those teams. I am also only available for one BBL game this year, and that was a thought as well."

Clarke's choice means both he and Mitchell Johnson will sit out the opposition, 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 nonappearance 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, provide a harsh reminder that physical organization must be a priority for the national captain.

Stuart Clark, general manager of the Sixers, said Clarke's was a hard decision, but a logical one in the conditions that confront him.

"Michael has chosen to focus 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. "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 determined to think on the Australian team."

Mike McKenna, the BBL scheme owner and CA's head of marketing, said he could see why Clarke's decision had been made. "We appreciate and admiration his decision," McKenna said, "and while we will miss him, the T20 BBL previously offers fans a galaxy of international and national stars which will help galvanise fan enthusiasm in year one."

Teams have finalized their initial lists of at least 14 players, with some squad having named their full 18-man groups. The residual teams can wait until December to fill out their playing rosters. The Sydney Sixers have named England's Michael Lumb as their first abroad player, while in other final-day actions, 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.

The squads so far

Adelaide Strikers Aiden Blizzard, Cameron Borgas, Lee Carseldine, Tom Cooper, Adam Crosthwaite, Theo Doropoulos, Brendan Drew, Callum Ferguson, Daniel Harris, Michael Klinger, Nathan Lyon, Aaron O'Brien, Gary Putland, Kane Richardson. Overseas players: Kieron Pollard. Coach Darren Berry.

Brisbane Heat Ryan Broad, Nick Buchanan, Daniel Christian, Ben Cutting, Peter Forrest, Ryan Harris, Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes, Chris Lynn, Michael Neser, Chris Swan, (One further contract lodged, subject to approval). Overseas players: Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori. Coach Darren Lehmann.

Hobart Hurricanes Travis Birt, Mark Cosgrove, Xavier Doherty, Luke Feldman, Evan Gulbis, Ben Hilfenhaus, Michael Hogan, Phil Jaques, Matt Johnston, Jason Krejza, Nick Kruger, Ben Laughlin, Rhett Lockyear, Tim Paine, Ricky Ponting. Overseas players: Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Owais Shah. Coach Ali de Winter.

Melbourne Renegades Ryan Carters, Aaron Finch, Shane Harwood, Aaron Heal, Jayde Herrick, Michael Hill, Brad Hodge, Glenn Maxwell, Andrew McDonald, Brenton McDonald, Dirk Nannes, Nathan Reardon, Will Sheridan, Shaun Tait. Overseas players: Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi. Coach Simon Helmot.

Melbourne Stars George Bailey, James Faulkner, John Hastings, Jon Holland, David Hussey, Alex Keath, Clint McKay, James Pattinson, Rob Quiney, Peter Siddle, Chris Simpson, Adam Voges, Matthew Wade, Cameron White. Overseas players: Luke Wright. Coach Greg Shipperd.

Perth Scorchers Tom Beaton, Michael Beer, Mark Cameron, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Ben Edmondson, Michael Hussey, Simon Katich, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Marcus North, Luke Pomersbach, Nathan Rimmington, Luke Ronchi. Overseas players: Paul Collingwood, Herschelle Gibbs. Coach Mickey Arthur.

Sydney Sixers Ed Cowan, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Brett Lee, Nic Maddinson, Ian Moran, Peter Nevill, Steve O'Keefe, Ben Rohrer, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Dominic Thornely, Shane Watson. Overseas players: Michael Lumb. Coach Trevor Bayliss.

Sydney Thunder Sean Abbott, Tim Armstrong, Nic Bills, Doug Bollinger, Luke Butterworth, Scott Coyte, Tim Cruickshank, Matthew Day, Luke Doran, Ben Dunk, Jason Floros, Phillip Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Craig Philipson, Daniel Smith, David Warner. Overseas players: Fidel Edwards, Chris Gayle. Coach Shane Duff.

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