Clarke dismisses Australia comeback talks
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has strongly dismissed claims that he will make a return to the national side in a playing capacity after the ball-tampering scandal that has rocked Australian cricket.
A report in an Australian publication suggested that 37-year-old Clarke, who had retired from international cricket in 2015, had spoken to Cricket Australia (CA) CEO James Sutherland about making a return to the national side to help guide a younger team following the suspensions of captain Steve Smith and David Warner.
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The report also stated that Clarke will be practicing his batting in the nets while commentating in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) but the right-handed batsman, who scored 28 centuries in 115 Test, dismissed the idea.
Clarke posted on Twitter: “This article is out of control! Let me make very clear that I have not sent any formal offer to James Sutherland to come back and play cricket.
“I sent him a message as a friend offering to help Australian cricket in ANY way I could (this could mean mentoring the under 14s).
“I won’t be batting in the nets in India in preparation for a comeback and as I have always said the game owes me nothing, I owe it everything.”
Australia cricket are still reeling following the scandal that saw Smith and Warner banned for year while Cameron Bancroft was also given a nine-month suspension.
CA have also set up a review aimed to improve player behaviour on the field.
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