Australia skipper Clarke to focus on Tests

SYDNEY: Australia cricket captain Michael Clarke said Friday he will no take part in the inaugural season of the country's new Twenty20 Big Bash League and instead concentrate on playing Tests.

"With the greatest respect to everybody involved in the T20 Big Bash League, I will not be committing for this year," Clarke said in a statement.

"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."

Clarke said Australia have important Test series against Sri Lanka, South Africa, New Zealand and India coming up.

"We have a big six months ahead, and my commitment and focus is with those teams," he said.

Australia, currently ranked fifth on the ICC Test rankings, travel to Sri Lanka where they will take part in two T20 internationals, five ODIs and three Tests.

They will then tour South Africa in October-November before home Test series against New Zealand and India in December-February.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011