Clarke gives 'big earning' IPL a miss to lighten cricket load

Michael Clarke is the latest Australian player to give a miss to big earning Indian Premier League and take a four-month break from cricket, leaving back the opportunity to enter the lucrative upcoming auction.

The 32-year-old does not play Twenty20 international cricket any more but due to his profile, marketing potential and captaincy skills could have generated interest at the IPL auction on February 12.

Clarke wants to use this year's lighter schedule for a long overdue rest, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Australia have a jam-packed 18 months in front of them, starting with October's Test and one-day series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates - it is a once in a career opportunity for Clarke to get away from the game for a significant length of time.

Rather than making a quick buck in the IPL - with an estimated income of $6 million a year, he is likely to work on fitness and keep on top of his long-running back problem during a playing hiatus.

Clarke played the 2012 IPL with Pune Warriors.