Clarke picked for India, despite injury concerns

Cricket365
September 20, 2013

Australia have named a strong 14-man squad for the limited-over tour to India next month, opting to stick with captain Michael Clarke despite uncertainty surrounding his resurfacing lower back injury.

Clarke will be monitored, including undergoing scans, until the tour, which starts with a T20 on 10 October. After a long tour of England, which ended in an ODI series win, the selectors seem keen to keep the momentum.

John Inverarity, the national selector, said: "After a long tour Michael Clarke's back condition has flared up again and he has been selected subject to fitness. He has returned to Australia for further assessment and the national selection panel hopes that it will improve in time for the Indian tour."

Two players not making the trip to India are Matthew Wade and Fawad Ahmed. Wicketkeeper Wade was dropped in favour of veteran gloveman Brad Haddin, who was in good form during the Ashes, while Ahmed's middling figures result in Xavier Doherty's recall.

The boss said: "Matthew Wade has been omitted due to lack of form and has been replaced by Brad Haddin, who captured an Ashes series record of dismissals in July and August. Matthew is 25 years of age and has a great deal of natural ability both as a batsman and as a keeper.

"The NSP is confident that Matthew will regain form and press hard for selection in the not too distant future."

As for Ahmed's exclusion, Inverarity added: "Fawad bowled well with his limited opportunities in the rain-affected series and better than his figures would suggest. The NSP looks forward to Fawad getting plenty of bowling in the busy domestic schedule that begins at the end of this month."

The pace attack will be led by Mitchell Johnson, in his quest to get back into the Test squad, while James Faulkner and Clint McKay continue in the absence of the many lower back injuries littering Aussie cricket.

Batting-wise, David Warner continues to be excluded due to lack of form, though Phil Hughes retains his place despite a severe lack of runs on the England trip. Glenn Maxwell and Moises Henriques join Shane Watson in the all-rounder roles.

Australia squad: Shane Watson, Aaron Finch, Phillip Hughes, Michael Clarke (capt), George Bailey (vice-capt), Adam Voges, Brad Haddin (wk), Moises Henriques, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Johnson, James Faulkner, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Clint McKay, Xavier Doherty.