Melbourne, July 22: Australia captain Michael Clarke will sit out the inaugural season of the domestic Twenty20 Big Bash league to concentrate on test cricket.
"My goal is to play Twenty20 cricket domestically, for sure," Clarke said in a statement Friday. "But at the moment, I want to prioritize my time and commitment to my role with the Australian team."
Australia is scheduled to play three tests and five one-day matches during an Aug. 6 to Sept. 20 tour of Sri Lanka, before hosting test tours by India and New Zealand in December and January.
"We have a big six months ahead, and my commitment and focus is with those teams," Clarke said.
The eight-team Big Bash begins on Dec. 30 featuring Australian and international players including Chris Gayle of the West Indies, England's Paul Collingwood and former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori. AP
