Clarke wants to play in IPL III

Sydney:

He turned down the chance to play in Indian Premier League's first two seasons, but Michael Clarke has had a change of heart now and wants to be a part of IPL III to gain experience for his stint as Australia's Twenty20 captain.

Clarke was appointed captain of Australia's Twenty20 team after Ricky Ponting retired from the format following the side's early exit from the T20 World Cup in June.

Eager to gain some Twenty20 experience, Clarke said he wants to play in the IPL.

"There have been reasons why I haven't taken part in the last couple of IPLs," Clarke told reporters here.

"I've always said that it's a competition I would love to take part in at the right time. If the timing is right, if my body is healthy and I'm feeling good and a team wants me, it could be a great opportunity to prepare for what's going to be a huge Twenty20 World Cup," he said.

Clarke had pulled out of the previous two IPL auctions citing tight international schedule and family commitments and the right-hander said it would tough to find a buyer for himself next year.

"It doesn't matter too much about how much I want to go and play. Teams have to want you as well," Clarke said.

"The IPL teams might want to buy somebody else who is available for the whole time, rather than that short period," he explained.

Currently out of action due to a nagging back injury, Clarke said he initially considered Twenty20 entertainment but has begun to take the format more seriously now.

"I've played 19 games for Australia and the first half were about entertainment. We didn't know how seriously to take it. It's definitely changed over the last couple of years," he said.

"No doubt cricketers in general take Twenty20 cricket a lot more seriously because it's a competition that's here to stay," he added.