Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120’s injury deepens Australia’s Test crisis – Cricket News Update
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758, at Hobart.
Clarke again seemed in impressive batting form as he notched up a quick-fire half-century to set his opponents 393 to win. His 46-ball innings nonetheless, was cut short when physiotherapist http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Alex-Kountouris-c43123 came on the field, and advised the skipper to leave the ground.
Cricket Australia then immediately confirmed that the player had suffered a hamstring injury, the extent of which will be examined by the medical staff before making a definitive call. The Aussie skipper was destined to reach another Test century, after creaming 5 fours and a six during his delightful 57-run knock.
He came behind http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Matthew-Wade-c1933 in the batting order as the Aussies looked for some quick runs, but took upon himself to provide the team with the added impetus after Wade was holed out for a lowly 11. His abrupt innings still allowed him to approach the coveted 1500-run mark in a calendar year.
The skipper is currently 11 runs shorts of that hall mark, but with one Test still to be played in 2012 – the Boxing Day clash – he is most likely to become the sixth-player in history to achieve that mark. Former Aussie skipper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RT-Ponting-c2377, did it twice in his playing days.
However, much will depend on the level of pain he is feeling right now. Though he has still a week to recover, it seems unlikely that the management will risk their star player if he is not hundred percent fit.
With Punter retired, it is expected that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BW-Hilfenhaus-c1204 was advised not to bowl in the second innings.
Hilfenhaus picked up a side strain in the first innings during his 13th over, and after consulting with Clarke, he left the field, forcing Watson to complete the over. The speedster nonetheless came to bat, but was out for a duck as Australia declared on 278 for 9.
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