Mumbai: Former Australian captain and player Michael Clarke has dismissed all talks of playing Big Bash League (BBL) and said that he will be commentating for Channel 9 during the Australian summer. Channel 9 holds the rights for Australia’s home season.
Clarke had said that he would play opening three matches of the summer for his local club Western Suburbs, a Sydney grade competition. This led to the speculation that he might return to T20 cricket.
He was in discussions with inaugural champions Sydney Sixers for the upcoming season in Australia’s most popular T20 league. BBL has caught the imagination of public and is very popular among women and children.
“Really excited to announce that I will be part of the Channel Nine commentary team this summer,” Clarke said in a video message on Twitter.
“It will preclude me from playing in the BBL, but I will be out there playing with my old club Western Suburbs. Can’t wait.”
Michael Clarke would go down as a legend in world cricket. He made his Test debut in Bengaluru in 2004 and scored a majestic 151 against the likes of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. His footwork was exemplary against spin and was a classical player.
Clarke didn’t get along with everybody and was no yes man. He challenged the authority and played cricket on his own terms. He had a chronic back condition and that led to his early retirement from international cricket.
Clarke would be a great addition to the Channel 9s commentary team. He is very articulate and fans would love to hear his views on game and many more issues.
Michael Clarke played 115 Test matches and scored 8,643 runs at average of 49.10 with 28 Test tons. Clarke’s farewell Test was at Oval and baggy green won the match but lost the Ashes 3-2. He also scored 7,981 runs in 245 ODIs with 8 centuries and 58 fifties. Clarke played his last ODI at iconic Melbourne during The ICC WC Final 2015. Australia won the match and it ended a pretty successful and illustrious career.