Mixed reports on Clarke’s injury
Test captain Michael Clarke’s hamstring injury is the subject of conflicting reports, with two senior Cricket Australia officials offering differing views of his immediate future.
Cricket Australia chairman of selectors Rod Marsh says he’s confident skipper Michael Clarke will be fit to return for the four-Test series against India, starting on December 4.
Clarke will miss the rest of the one-day series against South Africa after re-injuring his left hamstring, but Marsh says the injury shouldn’t prevent him from returning early next month.
However, News Corp reports that Pat Howard, CA’s team performance manager, believes that Clarke is almost certain to miss the entire Test series against India.
Howard reportedly said that Clarke was virtually no chance of taking part in the series, and may have to undergo surgery which would put him out of action for at least eight weeks.
Clarke’s availability this summer was thrown in doubt when he re-injured his left hamstring while batting during Friday’s one-day win over South Africa at the WACA Ground.
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It was Clarke’s third hamstring injury since August.
But Marsh said the latest setback didn’t appear too bad.
“He saw a guy this morning and I’ve never seen a happier doctor on our team,” Marsh told Channel 9 on Sunday.
“He looked really happy with what’s going to happen, so I’m backing Michael Clarke to play.”
Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin is also in line to return from a shoulder injury for the first Test.
Clarke’s absence was telling on Sunday as Australia’s batting line-up wilted in a three-wicket loss to South Africa in a one day international at the WACA Ground.
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All-rounder Mitch Marsh top-scored with 67, but he was a lone ranger as Australia were skittled for 154.
South Africa reached the victory target with 134 balls to spare, with the series now locked at 1-1 heading into Wednesday’s clash in Canberra.
Australian captain George Bailey said he empathised with Clarke’s injury plight.
“I think guys are really disappointed for him because you know how hard he works,” Bailey said.
“But you always know on the flip side it’s part and parcel of the game.
“I’m sure there will be guys thinking of Michael and checking on him and seeing how he’s going, but the nature of the beast is the summer rolls on and we’ve got to move on pretty quickly.”
With the World Cup due to start in February, an eight-week absence by Clarke would leave him little time to prepare for the tournament.
– with AAP
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