Clarke picked for India, despite injury concerns

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.
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The boss said: "Matthew Wade has been omitted due to lack of form and has been replaced by Brad Haddin, who captured an Ashes series record of dismissals in July and August.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.
Latest
-
England
Heather Knight renews call for five-day Tests after South Africa draw
The last women’s Test to end in a victory either way was in 2015.
-
England
Rain forces draw between England and South Africa in Taunton Test
Heather Knight’s side had looked to close in on victory on the final day.
-
England
England’s hopes of rare home Test victory dashed by bad weather at Taunton
Play against South Africa was eventually called off after four rain delays.
-
England
Ben Stokes: Workload of bowlers could be a game-changer
The England captain has admitted he deliberately pushed his team-mates to the limit at Headingley.
-
England
Is Jos Buttler the right man for England white-ball captaincy?
Buttler has been confirmed as Eoin Morgan’s successor in the job.
-
England
Jos Buttler takes over from Eoin Morgan as England’s limited-overs captain
Morgan announced his retirement from international cricket on Tuesday.
-
England
Dom Sibley to return to Surrey from Warwickshire at end of the season
Sibley has played all of his 22 Tests since joining the Bears.
-
England
James Anderson returns for England’s Test against India
Sam Billings also comes in as Ben Foakes and Jamie Overton miss out on the Edgbaston contest.
-
England
England name Sam Billings and James Anderson in XI for Test against India
Billings was drafted in at short notice for his second Test appearance against New Zealand last week as a Covid substitute for Ben Foakes.
-
News
Temporary stand collapses ahead of second day between Sri Lanka and Australia
Cricket Australia confirmed no one was underneath the small makeshift seating area.