Clarke willing to make Australia return after tampering bans

GOLD COAST, Australia (Reuters) - Former captain Michael Clarke is willing to come out of retirement and help the embattled Australian cricket team as they deal with the fallout of ball-tampering bans to captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner.

Clarke willing to make Australia return after tampering bans

(Reuters)

Smith and Warner were banned by Cricket Australia for 12 months, while opening batsman Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month ban for ball tampering during last month's third test against South Africa.

Wicketkeeper Tim Paine, who was a surprise recall for the Ashes series against England last year, took over the captaincy in the short term.

The 37-year-old Clarke retired at the end of an unsuccessful Ashes tour of England in 2015 but will consider returning to the team until the trio are available for selection again.

"I would do anything to help the Australian cricket team," he told Australia's Daily Telegraph newspaper on Sunday. "I can't just sit here and do nothing. I feel I owe the game too much.

"I've experienced a lot of great things in cricket but some tough times as well.

"I've got the experience to help these young players and that's where our focus should be right now until the other guys come back."

Clarke recognised his advancing age may work against him but added he still kept fit and time away from the game had helped his body recuperate.

Australia's next international commitment is a limited-overs tour of England in June.

Clarke said he had contacted Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland and while he had not yet heard anything back, was willing to do anything they needed.

"We're not talking about the next five years. It's the next six months," he said. "If Cricket Australia asks me, I'd drop everything to help out."

(Reporting by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by John O'Brien)


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