Michael Clarke will miss Australia’s forthcoming limited-overs matches in India as he tries to ensure he is fit for the return Ashes series, which starts next month.
The Aussie skipper’s well-documented back problems have flared again, forcing the selectors to withdraw him from the group for the one Twenty20 and seven ODI games, which end on November 2.
The five Ashes Tests against England, who retained the urn with a 3-0 series win at home this summer, begin with the opening match in Brisbane, starting just 19 days later on November 21. In Clarke’s absence, George Bailey will lead Australia against India and batsman Callum Ferguson has been called up.
Clarke had to pull out of the fourth Test in India last March with a back injury. Alex Kountouris, the Australia physio, admitted Clarke’s back had been slow to respond to treatment.
He said: “Clarke has a long-standing low back injury that requires ongoing management. During the recent limited-overs series in England his injury flared up again and has been slow to improve with his regular treatment regime.
“Michael will therefore not be available to play in the India ODI series and will require a more extensive rehabilitation period before returning.”
Ferguson has had injury problems of his own, with knee trouble limiting his appearances to 30 ODIs and three T20s in four years since he first broke into the Australian team in 2009.
But his domestic form this year has caught the eye of national selector John Inverarity, who said: “Michael was very keen to captain the ODI team to India but unfortunately he hasn’t progressed enough to be available for selection.
“Callum Ferguson’s form during the last Australian summer was impressive and he played well for Australia A against the England Lions last February.”
