Clarke opts out of Big Bash League

Michael Clarke has announced an extended break from cricket, confirming he will not captain the Melbourne Stars in this summer's KFC Big Bash League.

Clarke had signed up for a two-year stint with the Melbourne franchise in April as the club's new captain following the exit of Cameron White, who joined cross-town rivals the Melbourne Renegades.

However, Clarke said he would now step away from all playing commitments, to give his body and mind time to recover after his retirement from international cricket.

“I’ve got a two-year deal at the moment so hopefully it all turns out okay and I come back and play next year, but even if they decide they don’t want me to play, hopefully I can help the club have success in another way,” Clarke told Triple M.

"Right now for I just think my body and my mind need some time away from the game of cricket.

"It's been a big part of my life and I just think that with my retirement from international cricket now I just need to take myself away from the game of cricket for a little while and just see what that's like. To actually be without it.

"You push yourself to the max when you're playing sport at the highest level and now I've pressed stop on that part, in regards to international cricket, I just think my body…and my mind just needs that break."

Stars president Eddie McGuire said while the decision was "disappointing", the club supported Clarke's decision.

He said no discussions about a replacement captain had yet been held.

"Michael’s decision to take a break from the game well ahead of the BBL season, gives the club the best opportunity to appoint his replacement,” McGuire said.

"Michael has been a wonderful servant of the game, not only here in Australia but worldwide, for many years and whilst he won’t be playing with the Stars this year as everyone had hoped, I am sure that Michael will remain involved with the club in some capacity in the future.”

Clarke called time on his one-day career after the World Cup final and ended his reign as Australia's 43rd Test captain after the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval last month.

Currently on holiday in Europe with pregnant wife Kyly following the Ashes series - the couple's first child is due in January - Clarke had in the days following his Test retirement pondered using his BBL stint as a launch pad for a tilt at the IPL.

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The Clarkes on holiday in St Tropez this week // Instagram

"That's probably one of the things I've got to think about over the next week or so. What I'm going to do there, am I going to look at that as an option," Clarke told Triple M's Hot Breakfast when asked about the prospect of playing in the world's biggest T20 competition.

"I'll spend the next few days trying to sum that up. See where my mind is at, see where my body is at and have a good think about it.

"Kyly and I are going to go away for a week or so before I fly back home. And that's just going to give me some time to have a think about what I'm going to do when I get home.

"I haven't had a chance to press stop and have a think about things. Now I've finally got that opportunity I just want to make the most of that and spend some time with her and have a really good think."

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Clarke on his unveiling in April // Getty

Clarke regularly turned down the big money on offer in the IPL during his career to focus instead on international cricket.

He played one season with the now defunct Pune Warriors in 2012, scoring 98 runs in six matches at a strike-rate of 104.25, but hasn't played any form of T20 cricket since.

The right-hander stepped down as Australia's T20 captain in in early 2011 having led his country to the final of the 2010 World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.

At Clarke's signing in April, it was said David Hussey would take the captaincy reigns when Clarke was expected to be on duty and the veteran may now be asked to take the mantle full-time.