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Indian Premier League 2009

Clarke pulls out of IPL auction

Cricinfo staff

February 5, 2009

Comments: 32 | Text size: A | A

Michael Clarke: "Speaking with my management, my family, my fiancee and the hierarchy of the IPL and for me this year, I won't be going to the IPL" © Getty Images

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Michael Clarke has pulled out of the IPL auction - where he had a base value of US$1 million - citing Australia's busy international schedule for his decision. Clarke was set to be among the top three picks and Chennai Super Kings, last year's finalists, were expected to lead the bidding for him in Goa on Friday.

Clarke, who joins Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Broad in deciding to stay away from the IPL, made the announcement at the MCG, where Australia were preparing for Friday's game against New Zealand. "Speaking with my management, my family, my fiancee and the hierarchy of the IPL and for me this year, I won't be going to the IPL," he said.

"There's probably a number of reasons but the most important thing for me is we've only got a couple of weeks off, we've got a really busy schedule, and I just think for where I'm at with my body and that time at home it's valuable for me. I'd love to take part in it one day. It's just about finding the right time for me to be a part of it."

Clarke chose not to go last year and said it was a tough decision this time. "There's obviously a lot of great things about the IPL and that's why I say I certainly want to be a part of it at some stage," he said. "Every player is in a different position as well but for me - mentally, physically where I am - I just think those two weeks at home will be great for my to come home and see family and friends."

Asked whether he was surprised, given the constraints, that so many Australian players had signed up, Clarke spoke of the positive spin-offs from the tournament. "I think it's a wonderful thing for cricket," he said. "It's definitely improved Twenty20 cricket, certainly played a part in improving one-day cricket and the lead-up to the Twenty20 World Championship is the IPL, so it's pretty good preparation. It doesn't surprise me so many guys are going there. It's just a personal choice at this stage."

Lalit Modi, the IPL commissioner, believed Clarke opted out to avoid an embarrassment at the auction. "I don't think anybody is ready to pay that kind of price [$1m]," Modi told the news channel NDTV. "The reality is in front of him. He didn't want to be unsold in the auction and so decided to pull out. We asked him to reduce the price but he was unwilling.

"Unfortunately, he pulled out earlier and there was penalty in the first year but this year we have waived off the penalty and I don't think we will be able to move forward like this. We will discuss the matter in our governing council and have the answer by this evening."

Comments: 32

Posted by Gilly_da_gr8 on (February 06 2009, 16:53 PM GMT)

I don't know what Pup is upto... In my view, Pup will join the 3rd season of the $ loaded series. The Teams that lose due to lower performances, will naturally think of how it would have been if there was a star allround performer. So, by rejecting these 2 seasons, he could earn more value, as ,many teams are willing to invest on this guy. By the time of 3rd season's auction he could blindly reach the value of 2 million $s. May be that is his motive....

Posted by KTiwari on (February 05 2009, 18:46 PM GMT)

Clark should have tried to make the money when opportunity is available. Going forward competition will be tough. You see in the first edition players like Gibbs,Kallis,Afridi made huge money. Do you think they can now by any stretch of imagination if they had skipped first edition??? More profound is case of Andrew Symonds. It will be interesting to ask franchise on how much will they give for Andrew Symond NOW. Next time may be worse than present time for M Clark. Hope he had thought through subjectively.

Posted by Manoj1234 on (February 05 2009, 17:48 PM GMT)

Lalit Modi really hits the nail on the head. It was obvious to any reasonable cricket follower that Clarke is not worth $1 mil in a 20-20 match up. Any aussie fans, if you disagree, would you cough up 1 Mil for him if it was your team. I think not. Its a competition after all and you are aiming to win it. Manoj

Posted by TwitterJitter on (February 05 2009, 14:20 PM GMT)

To join IPL or not is Michael Clarke's decision to make. However, there has been too much drama with him waiting till the last minute every year and then dropping out. To think that he is doing this because he is putting his country first is a joke and something he wants to sell to you. If that is true, why is putting himself out there for the auction each year until the last minute? Why can't he just say that he will NOT participate in IPL, period? I am not sure how Modi is going to regulate this kind of behavior either and I am not sure whether he should be even having such a regulation because dropping out in the last minute (albeit this is twice in a row) is not a crime.

Posted by CricFan133 on (February 05 2009, 13:29 PM GMT)

Clark has done a good thing by staying out. With more and more T20 cricket these days, and also with Paki players missing in the tournament, I guess this time it will be no way near the first edition of the tournament. For me, It is losing the shine already !!

Posted by mjcoxx on (February 05 2009, 13:27 PM GMT)

My guess is that Michael Clarke set his price at a million dollars, knowing full well he was never going to get it, because he wasn't that interested in playing in the IPL in the first place. High profile Australian cricketers are remunerated very well compared to other nations. Michael Clarke would be doing very well via his Cricket Australia contract, match payments, clothing and eqipment sponsorships and various product endorsements. I'm sure it cost Bonds a pretty penny for him to dance around with a tennis ball in his undies. The Australian cricket team does have a very busy schedule coming up, he doesn't need the money, his father has health issues and he's got a rather attractive girlfriend. Why would Michael Clarke want to bust his arse and risk injury playing IPL when he can spend a couple of weeks relaxing at home?

Posted by deb-61 on (February 05 2009, 11:54 AM GMT)

There's no denying that there have been some positives coming out of the 1st edition of the IPL. A few careers have been launched. I also notice from some of the comments that there's some 'bile' out there about the 'Indian' IPL. Maybe a bit of SOUR GRAPES, nein? IPL wo'nt damage world cricket. Cricket is not such a fragile sport that it'l be damaged beyond repair by one 20/20 tournament. Also, the players taking part have not really sold their souls to the devil! Clarke is a good player. Am not really sure how much he'l be missed, though. Also, of course he's preparing to take over Aussie captaincy. A bit of a political move?? Possible. Lalit Modi's comments. Crude, even if true. Lastly, so far, the IPL has been a success. Will it last? Do'nt know. But who cares, it was good while it lasted. So, i say to those few 'sour grapes' types: times have changed; new concept for some of you, iknow, i know. But learn to deal with it!

Posted by ExCric on (February 05 2009, 11:06 AM GMT)

Well, I gues that's why politicians do so well,because there are any number of gullible people who will beleive them, so we salute you Clarke. On a more serious note, Modi is brash and can be annoying but one thing that is very consistent with this man is he can speak candidly. How would clarke ever have gone for a million. The best aussie cricketer with talent and leadership skills [Shane warne] went for less than half a mill. I think shane is defintiely worth around 800000-900000 for what he contributes so how can clarke be worth more than this. Frankly I also think Pietersen is overrated for his price, the only other top player who deserves the base price quoted is Flintoff. Good luck to him and duminy and that bangladeshi[sorry do not remember the name].

Posted by popcorn on (February 05 2009, 10:54 AM GMT)

Michael Clarke has made the right decision. I wish there were more like him. It will put this money-mad Lalit Modi in his place,and pave the way for all right thinking cricketers to put counrty before the Wham -Bam stupid so-called game of Twenty 20,which is nothing but a "tamasha". Lalit Modi has no interest in cricket - neither does he know what it is - he only knows that money can sway people. He is bad for the game, and sooner that ICL is recognized and countries recognize ICL players,the dirty tricks of Lalit Modi of reducing ICC to a puppet will stop. Mathew Hayden's career went downhill ONLY because he suffered a heel injury in the IPL matches. With the Ashes coming up,ALL the Aussies should pull out of IPL.

Posted by robheinen on (February 05 2009, 10:23 AM GMT)

@Dubby49 However correct mr. Modi's response might be - and I don't judge it necessarily as such - the boorishness with which he presents it is of such quality that it puts him in the wrong for starters. It's time these racial frustrations stop. And where can they better stop than with the persons in the spotlight, which is where mr. Modi - albeit for only a short while still, for the demise of the IPL has already set in - is.

Do you think Michael Clarke made the right decision?

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