Ashes update, Michael Clarke fit to play in first Test
Australia’s vice captain Michael Clarke is declared “fit” for Thursday’s Ashes series opener in Brisbane.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 has been playing in the “nets brilliantly and feels comfortable” as he has been working hard for the last couple of days.
Along with Clarke’s return to the side, Peter Siddle was chosen for the first Test to take part in the pace attack of Australia.
Siddle’s inclusion in Thursday’s squad means that Doug Bollinger would miss out on who was chosen as a standby fast bowler. Siddle has been out of the Australian Test squad due to his stress fracture in his back that has forced him to nurse the injury since
January this year.
Ponting told the media that Doug’s luck was not on his side this time as he reckoned that “Dougie’s the unlucky quick”, who would be missing out as Siddle aims to make a comeback.
Siddle would be joining the likes of Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus in the pace attack against the English. The all pace attack has been getting some criticism regarding the fact that the weather forecasts could hamper a fast bowling attack.
The fast bowling line-up would be similar to the one that played in last year’s Ashes in England, which saw Australia falling to a defeat 2-1.
With Michael Clarke being fit for the Boxing Day against England, uncapped Aussie batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Usman-Khawaja-c2729 would miss out as he was called back into the 13 man squad as a buffer if Clarke failed to recover in time.
Clarke has been battling with his recurring back injury, which had restricted him to walking laps and warming up on the first two days of the training session.
Khawaja, who has an impressive average record, was vying to be the first Muslim player for Australia in The Ashes. However, it looks like he needs to wait a bit longer.
Xavier Doherty would also be making his debut at the Gabba. The left arm spin bowler was called in instead of a more experienced Nathan Hauritz, who has been left “disappointed” by the exclusion.
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