The former Australia cricket captain is just weeks away from becoming a father for the first time and his new role is set to see him reject any overtures from good friend Shane Warne to play in his Twenty/20 All-Stars concept.
“I think it’s fantastic, I think it’ll be great, I think it’ll be awesome to be able to take the game to America,” Clarke admitted.
“Some of the names he has playing alongside him are world class so I certainly think there’s going to be a lot of people watching it and following it but for me right now I’m having some time away from cricket.”
While Clarke conceded he hasn’t picked up a bat or ball since returning from the Ashes tour in August he has maintained a keen interest in the Australian team.
The retirement of five veterans has Australia’s Test team facing a major overhaul and Clarke annointed a surprise successor to Chris Rogers’ spot at the top of the batting order.
“I would like to see Shaun Marsh certainly get an opportunity. I still think he’s got a lot of runs left in him,” Clarke declared.
“The advantage with someone like Shaun is he can bat anywhere in the order. I’ve always been a big fan of Shaun so I’m hoping they keep the faith there.”
Shaun Marsh was one of the batsmen named on the cancelled Bangladesh tour but Clarke believes he and other young hopefuls will still have an opportunity to establish long Test careers.
“All those players that have been selected deserve their opportunity and I’m sure we’ll see them throughout the summer,” Clarke said.
“I think they’ll pick and stick. I think they’ll keep the faith. I think they probably need to now because we’ve lost five guys who have walked away from a series so I think they need to select who they feel are the right people to take Australian cricket forward.”
Like the new generation of Australian cricketers, Clarke faces a sink or swim summer when he joins the crew of Perpetual Loyal in the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race to raise money for children’s charities.
“There’s certainly nerves and a bit of fear there,” Clarke said.
“My greatest fear on this planet is sharks and I’ll be doing everything I can not to end up in that water.”