Story Update: Modi Alleges Twist in tale as Clarke Does a U Turn!

Sreelata YellamrazuFeb 5 2009

Perhaps the full awareness of Australia’s predicament has dawned on the man. Michael Clarke who made himself available for the second IPL season only days earlier has now decided he does not want to be a part of it after all.

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When questioned of his IPL interests, the Australian vice captain stated that he would have to speak to his fiancée Lara Bingle amongst other family members before deciding to join the gang of Australian cricketers signing by the masses for the India’s domestic Twenty20 extravaganza.

When he did give the nod, his base price itself was set at one million dollars which would have been very fancy indeed. However, perhaps the couple and his immediate family have had a rethink and decided another Aston Martin was not really required in the crowded garage.

It is a fact that Australia have a long schedule ahead of them, which Clarke now insists is the primary reason by pulling out of the IPL, whose player auctions are to get underway in a couple of days’ time. One of the leading front runners alongside Kevin Pietersen for a huge bid, Clarke has missed the opportunity to make it big even in the recession hit economy.

Perhaps the fact that he now leads the Australian team against New Zealand in the next two games of the Chappell Hadlee Trophy at least as Ricky Ponting has been forcibly rested, it has dawned on Clarke just how much of a responsibility rests on the Australians, - mentally and physically – if they are to turn around their dwindling fortunes. The decision has to be respected.

Modi Adds a Twist

Lalit Modi has alleged that Clarke backed out of the IPL at the eleventh hour because he thought no franchisee would bid for him, not at that price.

Modi even stated that he had advised Clarke's agents to reduce the base price but that they chose to stick with the numbers. No penalty though will be imposed on Clarke, as things stand at the moment.

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