Australia captain Michael Clarke remains on track to play in the first Test against Pakistan beginning on October 22, despite being ruled out of the preceding one-day series.
However team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris says the 33-year-old Clarke is managing ongoing back and hamstring issues and his current tendon problem can take longer than a normal hamstring injury to heal.
Clarke felt a tight hamstring during a light recovery session after arriving in Zimbabwe for Australia’s series of one-day internationals against South Africa and the hosts.
The skipper scored an unbeaten 68 in Australia’s loss to Zimbabwe in the ODI game in Harare on August 31, before being sent home for treatment.
“We think the time frames to play the first Test are realistic,” Kountouris told reporters on Wednesday.
“Things are going on track and he’s likely to be okay and available for that series.
“If we wait for the second Test … whatever we wait for it’s going to be a risk.”
Kountouris said CA was unable to determine if the tendon damage was done during the initial recovery session or on August 31.
Scans showed Clarke has a “reasonable-sized” muscle injury.
“But importantly he actually has some tendon involvement, which from what we’ve learnt over the last five or 10 years, a lot of it has come out of the AFL, these injuries tend to take a long time,” Kountouris said.
Clarke is set to resume jogging this week.
Brad Haddin will replace Clarke as Australia’s captain in the Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates if Clarke is ruled out.
Phil Hughes has been called into the national squad as the replacement batsman for Clarke for the ODI series against Pakistan in early October.
Kountouris says Clarke will be tested with some high-intensity running in another two or three weeks.
“That’s why he’s out of the one-dayers because we don’t think it’s safe for him to try going any harder than what he’s going to in the next couple of weeks,” Kountouris said.
“Tendons, unlike muscles, they take a bit longer to heal. They don’t have the same rich blood supply and take longer and they’re also … more prone to recurrence.
“Whilst we don’t know exactly the link between the back and the hamstring, it’s certainly a factor and it predisposes him to these sorts of things.
“We’re trying to manage the back and the hamstring at the same time.”
Clarke may be tempted to step away from short-form cricket after the 2015 World Cup in February-March in Australia and New Zealand.
But Kountouris says Test cricket can be just as demanding.
“It is an explosive injury,” Kountouris said.
“In one-day cricket you may need to do it more often than in Test cricket.
“If he’s continuing to get runs in Test cricket, then I think he’ll still be at risk.
“I wouldn’t be advising him to retire from a form of the game because of this type of injury.”
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Which would be SOK.
Armchair Expert
Guest
You better watch the highlights from Australia's last test series in India Yusuf.
Armchair Expert
Guest
There's also question marks on whether Sean Marsh and Harris really were injury free before they last played in South Africa.
Armchair Expert
Guest
I agree with that theory, as long as that one full time spinner turns the ball away from the right handers.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
If they've replaced an all-rounder with an experienced seamer in the squad, I think that makes the likelihood of one full time spin bowler and three full-time seamers in the line-up more of a chance, which means they'd want the all-rounder spot used as a second spin option. I could be overthinking it though.
Nudge
Guest
Why has Marsh's lengthed? Watson was probably going to bat 6 with Doolan at 3, now it's out of Maxwell and Marsh for that no 6 spot.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Now Watson is out and Hilfenhaus is the replacement. Maxwell's odds just shortened to play and Marsh's lengthened.
Quitwhinging
Guest
are you ignorant or arrogant? Australian batsmen versus spin bowling nothing can be guaranteed
Yusuf
Guest
Doesnt really matter as this series has lost its interest without Ajmal, we will white wash pakistan now
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Since when has the Aussie skipper been over-ruled by the physio? Punter played with broken bones and other problems, Clarke is probably the same, makes the call on his own fitness regardless of what the physio says.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Nah, it certainly has to do with the physio. The physio should know they guy's body and esp what strength and conditioning work (and stretches) they need to be doing. A good physio knows when a hammie is up to it. They knew it was dodgy before he played. Sure Clarke might have wanted to play (that's his job after all), but team management needs a call from the physio. I've had a bit to do with physios and strength and conditioning aat a high level, and some are certainly better than others. I just hope Kontouris is one of the top ones. I have heard some less than flattering comments from other physios who treat top sportsmen (including cricketers), about the Aussie cricket physios. Not sure if this was Kontouris or before his time.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
I remember you saying that yesterday, but honestly, yes; from what I hear Alex Kountouris is very good and is very well respected as a professional. Injuries to young bowlers is nothing to do with the physio, it has to do with their bodies and muscles at that age I'm led to believe. Clarke passed the fitness test given to him, and deemed himself fit to play. If he said there was no pain or discomfit what else is there to say or do? Again, I do not believe it is the physio's fault if an expected relapse of the injury occurs.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Is that the same physio who said he's ok to play in the game when he seriously re-injured it? I've got to query if we have the best possible medical staff looking after the guys. Maybe we do, but questions have to be asked. Think Bird, Pattinson, Cummins etc.