Michael Clarke, the former Australian captain, will not play for the New South Wales Blues in the forthcoming season of the domestic One-Day Cup, the state association confirmed on Tuesday. 

The 35-year-old Clarke, who retired from international cricket following Australia's Ashes series defeat to England in 2015, had hinted at the possibility of a return to top-flight domestic cricket.

Talks of a possible return to the Australian domestic cricket surfaced after Clarke made his Twenty20 comeback last month with the Kowloon Cantons in the two-day Hong Kong T20 tournament, where he made 6 and 15 not out in his two innings. 

However, Cricket NSW confirmed that the prolific right-hander, will not turn out for the state team in any format in the 2016-17 season. 

It is understood that the stylish right-hander would not be able to participate in the team's pre-season training activities due to his business commitments.

A Cricket NSW spokesman said -

“

Michael has decided against returning to elite cricket with the NSW Blues.

”

Clarke however, harbours hopes of playing in the upcoming season of the city-based Big Bash League, a tournament he hasn't previously played in despite having been contracted with the Sydney Thunder and the Melbourne Stars in the past.