Canberra: Australia`s revamped Twenty20 Big Bash competition may kick-start without the country’s two cricketers, Michael Clarke and Mitchell Johnson, as they are yet to decide whether they will play in the tournament next summer.
They might not be a part of the Big Bash competition due to their reluctance to commit to the tournament and Australia`s busy international schedule.
Clarke will likely sign up with one of Sydney`s two franchises, if he plays in the tournament, due to loyalty to New South Wales cricket.
Meanwhile, the Sydney Thunder franchise hoped that Clarke would play for their team in the Big Bash tournament.
``I think it would make sense for Michael to think very seriously about the Thunder because he`s going back to his roots, really, out there,`` a daily quoted Thunder chief John Dyson, as saying.
Johnson would announce on Monday whether he would play with the Perth Scorchers franchise or sit- out to focus on the Test series against India.
``We want him to be part of the Scorchers and he very much wants to be part of our set-up,`` Perth coach Mickey Arthur said.
``The only thing he`s trying to get his head around is does he want to commit to a Big Bash League contract, because there are things that come with it like Champions League.
He`s got to be clear in his head that he wants to do that and he`ll let me know on Monday. He`s certainly not signing anywhere else. It`s either the Scorchers or he won`t be available for Big Bash``, he added.
A clash between the Big Bash competition and the series against India means Australia`s Test players would be available for only one or two matches of the T20 Big Bash competition.
Michael Hussey and Ricky Ponting are the only Test players who have so far inked deals with Big Bash’s Perth and Hobart teams respectively, but Brad Haddin and Shane Watson are also likely to sign agreements with the Sixers.
ANI
