http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Clarke-c1978 sits out Sydney match owing to back injury – Cricket News Update
Aussie Skipper, Michael Clarke, will be sitting out his team’s clash with India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on February 26, owing to a back injury which flared up during their last game against Sri Lanka at Hobart.
“Michael's back was sore during the last ODI in Hobart on Friday night. With the short turnaround between games we have taken the precaution of him not playing in today's game at the SCG,” the team’s physiotherapist, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Alex-Kountouris-c43123, confirmed.
Clarke was visibly troubled by his back during the team’s one-dayer at the Bellerive Oval, and was observed flexing his back and even stretch out on the ground at one point during his innings.
This marks the second time http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 has been ruled out of a particular match in the ongoing tri-series, owing to injury (he was previously out due to a hamstring complaint). However, according to the medical staff, the current back injury is far from serious.
“He has already improved significantly in the short period since Friday's game and we are confident he will be available for our next match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 in Melbourne,” said Kountouris.
Despite Clarke’s half-century (72), the host were unable to secure a win in their last match, losing to Sri Lanka by 3 wickets, and consequently moving down to second place on the series points table, while the Lankan http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lions-c808 moved up to grab the first spot.
This makes the one-day against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 even more crucial.
With Clarke out, the post of captaincy was thrown into doubt, with selectors struggling to find a replacement.
“Australian selectors may come to regret the axing of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RT-Ponting-c2377 with news that Michael Clarke is in doubt for tomorrow's critical ODI match against India,” said a report in the newspaper,
Australian.
Ponting, who had previously filled in for Clarke in two matches of the ongoing series, has settled comfortably into the domestic circuit, (scoring a half-century for the Tasmanians in the Ryobi Cup Final against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Australia-c844 yesterday, which the Tigers
lost), after having been abruptly axed from the national ODI squad. He was obviously out of contention for the post.
However, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SR-Watson-c2558, the original vice-captain, who had slowly and steadily been making his way back to full fitness after a calf injury, was brought in to captain the side for the match against India.
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