Australia’s captaincy options sans injured Clarke

Selectors searching for alternatives for Test series against India

SYDNEY: With the hopes of optimism over Michael Clarke being fit for the Test series against India fading fast, Australia's selectors will have to ponder their captaincy options as well as the make-up of their bowling attack over the next week.

Chief selector Rod Marsh's confidence in the 33-year-old being fit to face India at the Gabba on December 4 was undermined by Pat Howard yesterday, with the team performance manager saying Clarke had virtually no chance of playing in the series.

Coach Darren Lehmann has not given up hope, however. "Until I get confirmation, I'm not going to say he's in or he's out," he told reporters in Perth yesterday.

Since taking over as captain in 2011, Clarke has battled a long-term back injury, which contributes to his frequent hamstring problems, to play all but one of his country's 39 Tests. But with Australia's main priority over the next couple of months being to keep him fit for the World Cup, an understudy might now be required for the four matches against India.

The most obvious choice to become Australia's 45^th Test captain is vice-captain Brad Haddin. The wicketkeeper has the leadership qualities required, but has also been ruled out of the ongoing one-day series against South Africa because of a shoulder injury.

Shane Watson is another option but neither the 33-year-old all-rounder nor Haddin, 37, are long-term solutions.

George Bailey, the former T20 captain, is admired for his calm leadership but just 183 runs in the last Ashes series appear to have curtailed his Test career after only five matches.

Of the younger candidates, opening batsman David Warner is in the frame by virtue of being an automatic selection, but his chequered disciplinary record might work against him.

Meanwhile, strike bowler Mitchell Johnson will be rested for the remainder of Australia's one-day series against South Africa, with quicks Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc getting call-ups.

 
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