Aussies lose Clarke for UAE ODIs

Cricket365
September 17, 2014

Captain Michael Clarke has been ruled out of Australia's ODI series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates due to a recurring hamstring injury.

Clarke aggravated the grievance during the recent tri-series with Zimbabwe and South Africa at the Harare Sports Club.

He scored a consolation half-century in an historic defeat to the tournament hosts, before returning home for treatment.

"Since returning to Australia Michael has had a series of investigations that have confirmed a significant hamstring injury. Importantly, the scans have demonstrated tendon damage which complicates the recovery from this injury," said Cricket Australia Physiotherapist Alex Kountouris.

"As such, he will not recover in time to be available for the ODI series in the UAE. We are hopeful that he will be available for the Test series but this will be determined at a date closer to the first Test."

The Pakistanis and Australians will meet for a one-off Twenty20 International, three ODIs and two Tests – in Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi – between 5 October and 3 November.

"Clarke is coming to the UAE about a week before the Test side is, now that he's not playing the one-dayers. We're planning that he's not going to miss the Tests, but he's not a sure thing either," added Cricket Australia Physiotherapist Alex Kountouris.

"He's definitely missing the one-dayers but we're definitely doing everything we can to get him up. But he's not going to play unless he's right. That'll involve him getting back to full training, running at high speed and giving us the confidence that he's okay."