Clarke up for grabs in PSL draft: report

Former Australia Test captain Michael Clarke could be set to make a return to top-flight cricket with a report suggesting he’s thrown his hat in the ring for the 2017 Pakistan Super League.

Pakistan newspaper Dawn has reported that Clarke has been allocated into the upcoming PSL draft’s highest salary-cap category, alongside a host of current and former international stars.

"Clarke will be part of the Platinum category along the likes of McCullum, Morgan, Alex Hales, Jason Roy, Stuart Broad, Lasith Malinga, Mahela Jayawardene and Kieron Pollard," Dawn quoted ‘well-placed sources’ as saying.

Clarke retired from international cricket following last year’s Ashes defeat but has hinted he may look for stints in Twenty20 leagues around the world.

The elegant right-hander played two matches for the Kowloon Cantons in the Hong Kong T20 Blitz earlier this year and has turned out for his Sydney club side Western Suburbs for the first two matches of this season.

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But Clarke has confirmed he won’t be available for this season’s KFC Big Bash League, opting instead to join Channel Nine’s commentary team for the Test summer.

The inaugural edition of the PSL, held in Dubai earlier this year, featured Clarke’s former Australia teammates Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Brad Hodge and Shaun Tait, while tournament-winners Quetta Gladiators were coached by former Test batsman Dean Jones.

Kevin Pietersen, Chris Gayle, Kumar Sangakkara, Andre Russell were also among the big-name internationals who took part in the 2016 PSL.

The PSL have already announced England internationals Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad, Eoin Morgan, Moeen Ali, Jason Roy and Steve Finn will all be up for grabs for the 2017 tournament.

While the first edition of the competition was held entirely in the United Arab Emirates, PSL chairman Najam Sethi suggested in August that the final of this year’s tournament could be held in Pakistan, should they secure agreements from foreign players to travel there.

The draft for the 2017 PSL is set to be held on October 18 and 19.