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Michael Clarke is in a world of pain. As if the hurt of losing his “little buddy” Phillip Hughes wasn’t enough, he’s now hobbled by a serious back injury.
Australia’s captain somehow conquered both his aching heart and back to score a tenacious ton against India in the first Test on Wednesday.
His feat left teammates in awe.
“He has done amazing over the last couple of weeks; it has been tough for all of us but he spent the whole time by Hughesy’s family’s side,” fellow centurion Steve Smith said.
“Just the strength and courage he has shown through those times was unbelievable.
“He must be mentally drained … but the way he played speaks the world of that guy.
“He came out here and tried to do something for Hughesy.”
After retiring hurt on 60 on Tuesday, Clarke had injections in a bid to soothe spasms around the three degenerative discs in his back.
“Unfortunately it’s quite a significant back injury,” team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said.
Kountouris wrapped Clarke’s back in bandages as best he could and the skipper shuffled his way back to the crease.
His pain was obvious: barely able to break out of a stiff trot, unable to deploy his vast array of shots.
During frequent rain delays, Clarke couldn’t sit down.
“In the breaks he was getting a bit of treatment, he was walking around, trying to stay as active as he could,” Smith said.
“Sitting down is probably the hardest thing for him.”
Clarke even got a tender back massage from wife Kyly while watching rain fall when on 98 not out.
When play resumed, his 28th Test century soon came.
Unlike fellow century-makers David Warner and Smith, Clarke offered no overt celebration.
Just a kiss of the Australian crest on his helmet, salutes with his bat to his teammates and the crowd.
Then back to continuing a Bradmanesque love affair with Adelaide Oval – in 16 Test knocks at the ground, Clarke has made seven tons and three half-centuries, averaging 100.50.
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