Clarke doubtful for Zimbabwe opener
Australia sweat over captain’s fitness for first match of tri-series.
HARARE:
Australia will make a late decision on captain Michael Clarke’s fitness for Monday’s triangular series opener against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club.
Clarke tweaked his left hamstring during Australia’s first training session on Friday, but jogged several laps on Saturday to lend hope that he may recover in time.
However, with a higher-profile game against South Africa to follow on Wednesday, it is possible that Clarke will be left out of the Zimbabwe clash as a precaution, in which case George Bailey would lead Australia.
“He’s better than he was on Friday, so he’s probably 50-50,” said coach Darren Lehmann after training on Saturday.
“He’s desperate to play and we’re obviously desperate for our captain to play, so hopefully he’ll get through Sunday’s session and we’ll make a decision from there.
“We’ve got enough depth in our squad to chop and change if we need to, so we’ll just put the best side we possibly can out to win the game.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 25th, 2014.
Australia will make a late decision on captain Michael Clarke’s fitness for Monday’s triangular series opener against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club.
Clarke tweaked his left hamstring during Australia’s first training session on Friday, but jogged several laps on Saturday to lend hope that he may recover in time.
However, with a higher-profile game against South Africa to follow on Wednesday, it is possible that Clarke will be left out of the Zimbabwe clash as a precaution, in which case George Bailey would lead Australia.
“He’s better than he was on Friday, so he’s probably 50-50,” said coach Darren Lehmann after training on Saturday.
“He’s desperate to play and we’re obviously desperate for our captain to play, so hopefully he’ll get through Sunday’s session and we’ll make a decision from there.
“We’ve got enough depth in our squad to chop and change if we need to, so we’ll just put the best side we possibly can out to win the game.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 25th, 2014.