Australian captain Michael Clarke has reportedly been ruled out of the first Test match against India, starting next Thursday at the Gabba.
After a day of tit-for-tat with the selectors, The Advertiser have reported that the National Selection Panel have pulled the pin on Clarke’s hopes of proving his fitness, and will announce their decision at some point today.
Clarke was set to play for his grade cricket club Western Sydney on Saturday, after ruling himself out of the tour match starting on Friday. Clarke was insistent it was the medical staff’s decision.
But CA haven’t budged on their demand that Clarke play in the tour match, and will rule him out of the first Test due to a problematic hamstring injury. This will be the first Test match on home soil Clarke will have had to miss due to his chronic back problem.
CA’s position has not changed since our announcement of the Test squad. That is, Michael is to continue undergoing daily treatment for his injured hamstring as well as his ongoing back condition, with the aim of increasing his running over the coming days,” a CA statement said on Monday night.
Yesterday, Clarke was still at loggerheads with Cricket Australia, and adamant he would play for Wests and prove his fitness.
“Ideally if I can tick all the boxes along the way and play on Saturday, get through that. Hopefully I can make myself available then it is completely up to the selectors to work out what to do,” Clarke said.
“My focus is listening to the experts as I’ve always done. Over the last 10, 12 years I’ve been playing for Australia I don’t think I’ve ever walked onto a field not being 100 per cent fit to perform. So I would hope with my experience that the selectors, my teammates, Cricket Australia staff respect my opinion there.”
The Advertiser have reported that Cricket Australia Medical staff have ruled him out of both the grade cricket and tour fixture.
It spells the end of a period of doubt that began during the third ODI against South Africa, when Clarke pulled up after running a single.
The focus for Clarke now shifts to the second Test in Adelaide on the 12th December.
It also means the debut of Brad Haddin as captain.
One of Callum Ferguson, Alex Doolan, Phil Hughes and Shaun Marsh is in the running to replace him in the batting line-up.
What do you think of all this Roarers? Who should replace Clarke for the first Test?
Don Freo
Guest
99, caught behind off the shirt.
Don Freo
Guest
I'm with you on that, Keggas
Craig Watson
Guest
Rellum. Bancroft has a big future. Saw him two years ago in the U19 world cup and he was something special even then. What is this his second ton for the year and I think he hit a 98 as well. Let's say three tons in as many games.
Craig Watson
Guest
SOS Marsh will be if he gets another ton...and he has... his second in two games. Now a big chance to replace Clarke. What about Smithy. Huge loss if he is also out. Who will replace him. Gotta be either Burns or Ferguson?
Craig Watson
Guest
Wrote a post on another site about Hopes. Gets better with age like a fine Scotch whiskey. Would not let anyone down if asked to don the Aussie colors again. An incredible competitor.
Pom in Oz
Roar Guru
Have to agree. He played knowingly with a suspect hammy and I'm sure he's taken risks before by playing with an iffy back.
Shortfineleg
Guest
http://www.news.com.au/sport/michael-clarke-injury-cricket-australia-rules-aussie-skipper-out-of-first-test/story-fnaqgujp-1227133411041 Clarke is out apparently. CA may be delaying the announcement due to the awful Hughes news.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
What history is that exactly? In reality he's had two go's at the Test team.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
I think he's mostly being put in the frame by those looking for somewhere to place their rage.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
But with the latest series of issues the hammy's not behaving as they had expected it to and doesn't seem to react well to the usual methods of managing it. Not good signs and there'd be a real sense of caution about I'd imagine from those who are maybe more dispassionate about him playing in this particular Test than Clarke seems to be.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Bancroft and S.Marsh going well.
jamesb
Guest
I'm hoping for Burns. Needs a good score tomorrow.
matth
Guest
He and old Ronald McDonald have been two of the most underrated cricketers in the country.
Rellum
Roar Guru
He is the best allrounder in the country.
matth
Guest
11 overs 6 maidens, 2 for 10. God bless him
Rellum
Roar Guru
I have been trying to watch the stream, it is near impossible at times.
matth
Guest
Thanks Rellum. I have no access to video at the moment and Cricinfo just says "Brisbane"
matth
Guest
No idea, but history says they may well go there. He's now 43 not out by the way. I just hope Khawaja or Burns hit 150+ tomorrow
matth
Guest
Ferguson gone. Hughes up to 61
Rellum
Roar Guru
It is being played at Allan Border Field.