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Clarke signs for Warriors

Image: Michael Clarke: Set for IPL debut after joining Pune Warriors

Australia captain Michael Clarke is set to play in the Indian Premier League for the first time after agreeing to join Pune Warriors.

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Australia skipper to play in IPL for the first time

Australia captain Michael Clarke is set to play in the Indian Premier League for the first time after agreeing to join Pune Warriors. Clarke had previously shunned the lucrative Twenty20 competition to concentrate on playing for his country. The 30-year-old will miss the opening three weeks of the fifth IPL season to lead Australia in their three-Test series in the West Indies before linking up with the Warriors. "We are thrilled to have Michael Clarke on board," said Sushanto Roy, the managing director of Pune's owners Sahara Adventure Sports Ltd. "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 India in the DLF IPL 2012."

Discussions

Clarke had revealed he was in discussions with Pune before he flew out to join the Australia team in the Caribbean at the weekend. The 30-year-old, who retired from international Twenty20 cricket last year, missed the five-match one-day international series against West Indies due to a hamstring injury. However, after a stunning Australian summer with the bat - in which he led his side to a 4-0 Test series whitewash of India - he is fit again ahead of a busy schedule that will see him travel to England for an ODI series after the IPL. "Clarke was exceptional in the recent Test series against India, as batsman and captain," IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said. "He is a very popular cricketer in India, and followers of the sport are looking forward to his participation." Clarke joins a Pune side led by former India captain Sourav Ganguly and also including the likes of Graeme Smith, Yuvraj Singh and Angelo Mathews.

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