Clarke Absent As KFC T20 Big Bash League Squads Confirmed
Australian Test and One-Day International captain Michael Clarke has ruled himself out of the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash League in order to focus on his preparation for Test cricket.
The squads for the eight-team city-based tournament have been confirmed with a host of international players, including Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzzaq, Chris Gayle and Herschelle Gibbs involved.
"With the greatest respect to everybody involved in the KFC T20 Big Bash League, I will not be committing for this year," Clarke said.
"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.”
KFC T20 Big Bash League provisional squads
Sydney Thunder: Ben Dunk, Chris Gayle, Craig Philipson, Daniel Smith, David Warner, Doug Bollinger, Fidel Edwards, Jason Floros, Luke Butterworth, Luke Doran, Matthew Day, Nic Bills, Phillip Hughes, Scott Coyte, Sean Abbott, Tim Armstrong, Tim Cruickshank, Usman Khawaja
Sydney Sixers: Ben Rohrer, Brad Haddin, Brett Lee, Dominic Thornely, Ed Cowan, Ian Moran, Josh Hazlewood, Michael Lumb, Mitchell Starc, Moises Henriques, Nic Maddinson, Patrick Cummins, Peter Nevill, Shane Watson, Stephen O'Keefe, Steven Smith
Perth Scorchers: Ben Edmondson, Herschelle Gibbs, Luke Pomersbach, Luke Ronchi, Marcus North, Mark Cameron, Michael Beer, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan Couler-Nile, Nathan Rimmington, Paul Collingwood, Shaun Marsh, Simon Katich, Tom Beaton
Melbourne Renegades: Aaron Finch, Aaron Heal, Abdul Razzaq, Andrew McDonald, Brad Hodge, Brendon McDonald, Dirk Nannes, Glenn Maxwell, Jayde Herrick, Michael Hill, Nathan Reardon, Ryan Carters, Shahid Afridi, Shane Harwood, Shaun Tait, Will Sheridan
Hobart Hurricanes: Ben Hifenhaus, Ben Laughlin, Evan Gulbis, Jason Krejza, Luke Feldman, Mark Cosgrove, Matt Johnston, Michael Hogan, Nick Kruger, Owais Shah, Phil Jaques, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Rhett Lockyear, Ricky Ponting, Tim Paine, Travis Birt, Xavier Doherty
Brisbane Heat: Ben Cutting, Brendon McCullum, Chris Lynn, Chris Swan, Dan Christian, Daniel Vettori, James Hopes, Michael Neser, Nick Buchanan, Peter Forrest, Ryan Broad, Ryan Harris
Adelaide Strikers: Aaron O'Brien, Adam Crosthwaite, Aiden Blizzard, Brendan Drew, Callum Ferguson, Cameron Borgas, Daniel Harris, Gary Putland, Kane Richardson, Kieron Pollard, Lee Carseldine, Michael Klinger, Nathan Lyon, Theo Doropoulos, Tom Cooper
Melbourne Stars: Adam Voges, Alex Keath, Cameron White, Chris Simpson, Clint McKay, David Hussey, George Bailey, James Faulkner, James Pattinson, John Hastings, Jon Holland, Luke Wright, Matthew Wade, Peter Siddle, Robert Quiney
© Cricket World 2011