Clarke 'won't be saying no' to IPL

Michael Clarke will delay making a decision on whether to take part in the second version of the IPL next April until his hectic schedule becomes clearer. Clarke is one of the few big-name Australian players who haven't signed with a franchise and Lalit Modi, the IPL commissioner, has spoken of his desire to have the batsman included.

However, Australia are currently at the start of a crammed 15-month campaign and Clarke also wants to squeeze in his wedding to the model Lara Bingle. "It's important for me, especially now, just to focus on performing here [during the Test series]," he said. "If I'm not performing here, I'm back at state cricket or club cricket for Western Suburbs. Then I won't have to worry about IPL - I might have to worry about ICL!"

Clarke said everyone in India was asking if he would take part in the high profile and official Twenty20 tournament. "I'll definitely play at some stage," he said, "it's just about when.

"I saw Lalit Modi at a function in Jaipur and I said I'm very keen to play in the IPL, it's just about the right time. I certainly won't be saying no this year, I'll just be assessing as I go."

Clarke missed the opening tournament to take a break from the game and spend time with his father, who has cancer. He then arrived late to the West Indies tour because Bingle's father died.

"Looking at both our schedules, I don't think IPL will have any affect on the wedding," he said. "It won't be in autumn. I think she wants the middle of summer, when I've got a few Tests on."