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No tour game, no first Test for Clarke: CA

25th November, 2014
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Michael Clarke’s hopes of playing the first Test are approaching a dead end following a day of confusion and contradiction.

Clarke’s bold bid to take the field in Brisbane on Thursday week has reached new heights.

It all played out on Monday, when Cricket Australia and Clarke offered contrasting views on the state of play over whether he was, in fact, ruled out of a two-day tour match starting in Adelaide on Friday.

Clarke was included in Australia’s 12-man squad for the opening match of the four-Test series against India, which starts in Brisbane on Thursday week.

To stay in the squad, chief selector Rod Marsh noted the hamstrung captain must prove his fitness in the Adelaide tour match.

Clarke seemingly confirmed in the afternoon he would not play that game.

“I’ve been pulled out of, or passed unfit to play the game in Adelaide. The medical team in the Australian cricket team have ruled me out of that game,” Clarke said.

But the 33-year-old was determined to play for club side Western Suburbs on Saturday, saying he could prove then that he’s ready for the Gabba.

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CA responded by dismissing both suggestions.

“Should he be in a position to really progress his running in the coming days, our desire is that he plays for the CA XI in the two-day tour match against India at the Adelaide Oval,” CA said in a statement late on Monday.

“Accordingly, a final decision on his fitness has not yet been determined and he has not yet been ruled out of the tour match by the CA medical team.

“Should Michael play the tour match and recover well, the selectors have said he will take his place in the Test side.

“If he is not able to get up for the CA XI game, and given his history with this recurring injury, he will be ruled out of any cricket this week and the first Test.

“Our focus will shift to getting him fit to play the second Test in Adelaide.”

Clarke said he was running at “about 50 per cent” on Monday.

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“I had my first run today, and touch wood, I’m feeling pretty good,” he told reporters at a promotional event in Sydney.

Clarke will shed more light on his hopes of playing the first Test on Tuesday morning.

“I want to say 100 per cent. I want to say I’m going to be there, but I don’t think it would be fair for me to have to make that decision now,” Clarke told the Nine Network in the pre-recorded interview.

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