Melbourne: Australia captain Michael Clarke has pulled himself out of Indian Premier League auction scheduled next month to take rest in view of important national assignments.
According to a report in Sydney Morning Herald, the 32-year-old is intent on freshening his mind and body for the team`s two major objectives next year: the 2015 World Cup, and the defence of the Ashes in England.
Clarke will be leaving for South Africa tomorrow along with most of the Test squad for the three-match series against the Proteas.
He will take a four-month break following the series against the world number one side.
Clarke, who doesn`t play Twenty20 international cricket, could have generated interest amongst franchisees at the February 12 auction for his leadership qualities.
Clarke played for now-defunct Pune Warriors in 2012 and was due to link up with them for the subsequent season but his back injury flared up forced him out.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, January 28, 2014, 22:07
