SYDNEY — Australia cricket captain Michael Clarke has been ruled out of the tour to India and requires “extensive rehabilitation” ahead of the return Ashes series.
BBC Sport
The 32-year-old has suffered chronic back pain for much of his career and missed the Champions Trophy in June, soon after arriving in England.
Clarke will be replaced by Callum Ferguson for the one-day international (ODI)series and Twenty20 international against India.
And Clarke’s withdrawal from the seven-match ODI series will prompt questions over his availability for the start of the Ashes, in Brisbane on November 21.
Having finished bottom of their Champions Trophy group, Australia were beaten 3-0 in the Ashes — their third straight defeat in cricket’s oldest Test series — before winning the one-day series 2-1.
Clarke hit a fluent 75 from 76 balls in the decisive fifth ODI having led by example during the Test series too, scoring 381 runs in 10 innings at an average of 47,62.
Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said: “Michael Clarke has a long-standing low back injury that requires ongoing management.
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“During the recent England ODI series, his injury flared up again and has been slow to improve with his regular treatment regime.
“Michael will, therefore, not be available to play the upcoming India ODI series and will require a more extensive rehabilitation period before returning to competitive cricket.”
The series in India begins with a Twenty20 international in Rajkot on 10 October and concludes on November 2 — 19 days before the start of the second Ashes series of 2013.
Australia ODI squad to face India: George Bailey (capt), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Callum Ferguson, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Moises Henriques, Phil Hughes, Mitchell Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, Adam Voges, Shane Watson
