Michael Clarke is already out of the ODI series against Pakistan, starting October 7, and the Australian skipper is also doubtful for a two-match Test series in UAE.
Clarke, who has battled with lower back issues for a long period of time in his playing career, suffered a significant hamstring injury during the Zimbabwe tri-series.
The Aussie played in one of the matches in the series, which supposedly aggregated his injury and sidelined him for the limited-overs series against Pakistan.
Australia cricket team’s physiotherapist Alex Kountouris informed that Clarke will arrive a week prior to the series in UAE and continue his rehabilitation work with the squad.
Kountouris added that the team will make sure that the stylish right-hander will play in the Test series, but it is also “not a sure thing”.
“He’s coming to the UAE about a week before the Test side is, now that he’s not playing the one-dayers,” Kountouris said. “He’s coming a day or two after the one-day team. He’ll be there well before he needs to be doing stuff over there.”
“Part of that will be continuing his rehab with myself and the doc, and part of that will be to make sure we get him there [for the Tests]. We’re planning that he’s not going to miss [the Tests], but he’s not a sure thing either.”
“He’s definitely missing the one-dayers but we’re definitely doing everything we can to get him up,” he concluded. “But he’s not going to play unless he’s right. That’ll involve him getting back to full training, running at high speed and giving us the confidence that he’s okay.”
Meanwhile, the Cricket Australia (CA) has announced Phil Hughes as Clarke’s replacement for the one-day series. Hughes was overlooked for the tour, despite making a good impression in the Zimbabwe tri-series.
The top-order batsman scored two half-centuries in Zimbabwe but failed to make the cut. However, Clarke’s exclusion has arrived as a blessing in disguise for the southpaw.
