Young again: Michael Clarke ready to embark on fresh T20 cricket career
Former Australia test and one-day captain says the Hong Kong T20 Blitz will give him an idea of how much he misses the game
The nickname “Pup” seems more appropriate now than at any time during Michael Clarke’s cricketing career.
Twenty20 cricket goes on for three hours, it’s great entertainment and good, high-speed intensity so this will be a sample to see if I’ve missed it as much as I thought I have
The Tin Tin-esque tuft on his head is even more pronounced these days while his mood has the alacrity of a man who is thoroughly enjoying retirement – one year after walking away from the pressures of tests and one-day internationals following a particularly difficult time.
Older and wiser, but definitely looking younger and sprightlier. And the beneficiary of “Pup” mark II is the DTC Mobile Hong Kong T20 Blitz – with both acting as platforms for each other as they look for sustainability in 20-over cricket.
Clarke will turn out for the Kowloon Cantons in the four-team tournament – Hong Kong’s brave foray into a franchise-based format that has so far only been attempted by markets enjoying sizeable cricket followings, such as India, Australia and West Indies, among others.
Plagued by back problems during his career, the 35-year-old, however, knows that his presence this weekend can provide the kind of credibility that will help the tournament grow into a viable stop on the global T20 circuit while at the same time finding out for himself if this is, indeed, the new direction he wants to take as a player.
After months without picking up a bat, his 28 test and eight one-day centuries will count for little when he lines up for back to back matches on Saturday against Hung Hom JD Warriors and Woodworm Warriors.