IPL 2012: Michael Clarke Signs For Pune Warriors

IPL 2012: Michael Clarke Signs For Pune Warriors

Michael Clarke will feature for the Pune Warriors in IPL 2012

©REUTERS / Action Images

Australia Test and One-Day International captain Michael Clarke is set to make his Indian Premier League debut having signed for the Pune Warriors.

Clarke, who has retired from Twenty20 International cricket, joins the Pune squad just one week before the fifth edition of the tournament gets underway.

Pune's first match is against Mumbai Indians on 6th April. "We are thrilled to have Michael Clarke on board," a statement from the Pune franchise read.

"The reigning Australian skipper is one of the world's best cricketers. His presence in the side, and cricketing proficiency, will boost the prospects of Pune Warriors in the IPL 2012."

With Pune missing key batsman and team captain Yuvraj Singh, who continues to make a recovery from a lung tumour, the franchise have moved to bolster their batting line-up.

Clarke has played 40 Twenty20 matches in his career - 34 for Australia and six for Hampshire - scoring 639 runs at a strike-rate of 108.85 as well as taking seven wickets.

Clarke has been in rich form with the bat recently, hitting 329 not out and a double-century in the recent Test series between India and Australia although he was then struck by a hamstring injury which ruled him out of the recent limited overs matches in the West Indies.

Australia players are not available to IPL franchises for the first three weeks of the tournament due to the three-Test series that follows.

© Cricket World 2012