Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke has ruled out his participation in the upcoming edition of the Big Bash league, bringing an end to speculation that he might be a part of the domestic T20 competition.
Clarke will instead join the Channel Nine commentary team, although he has not divulged details about the extent of his stint with the microphone. He did say that he will return to Sydney’s Premier division cricket for the Western Suburbs club, with the competition beginning on September 24. Their first match is against Mosman at the Allan Border Oval.
In a video message uploaded on his Twitter handle, Clarke said that he was really excited to join the Channel Nine commentary team.
There was news that Clarke might be associated with the Sydney Sixers in this BBL this year, but Clarke’s latest message quells all such rumours. Last year, he was set to play for the Melbourne Stars, but pulled out of the contract.
The 35-year old Clarke retired from ODIs after a third World Cup win last year, calling an end to a career whose latter part was marred by back injuries. He continued playing Tests till August 2015, with the Ashes being his last international commitment. He scored 8643 and 7981 runs in 115 Tests and 245 ODIs respectively, having made ODI debut in 2003 and Test debut the very next year.
Earlier this year, he made a comeback into competitive cricket by signing for Kowloon Cantons in the Hong Kong T20 blitz, where he joined Nepalese teenager Sandeep Lamichhane as one of the two overseas players. He played two matches, scoring 6 and 15*.
Clarke has done small bits of commentary with the Channel Nine team earlier, including the time when he was still the captain on India’s tour in 2014-15.
Also read: Mitchell Johnson says he is ready to fire in the Big Bash League
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