Clarke doubtful for final Test against India

Australia captain suffering from back injury since Mohali.


News Desk March 21, 2013
“I haven’t missed a Test through injury since my debut in 2004 and I’ll do everything to keep it that way ahead of the fourth Test,” says Clarke. PHOTO: AFP

Despite training with the team ahead of the fourth Test against India, Australia captain Michael Clarke remains doubtful for today’s match due to a back problem, according to The Times of India.

Clarke suffered back spasms during a fielding drill in the Mohali Test but is desperate to remain present in the final clash against the hosts who have already secured the four-match series 3-0.

‘’I don’t know if it’s as bad as it’s been,” said Clarke. “It’s not a nice feeling. It was very uncomfortable and it affected my performance [in Mohali], in regards not to the number of runs I made but the movement.

“I haven’t missed a Test through injury since my debut in 2004 and I’ll do everything to keep it that way ahead of the fourth Test.”

The captain is determined to finish what has been a disastrous tour with a morale-boosting win.

“We know the conditions well, we know the opposition and we know the areas where we need to improve. So, we would like to leave for home winning the last Test.”

Should Clarke’s injury overcome his desire to be present in the match, vice-captain Shane Watson will lead the team.

Watson came back to India following a dramatic chain of events; first getting axed in the third Test for failing to come up with a presentation to improve the team’s form, then implying that he would reconsider his Test career and finally rejoining his team ahead of the final match.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2013.

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