Australia captain Michael Clarke has been named in their 12-man squad for the first Test against India next month despite recently being sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Clarke picked up the injury in the first one-day international against South Africa a fortnight ago and was subsequently ruled out of the remainder of the five-match series.
But after a period of treatment and recuperation, the 33-year-old batsman was included in Australia’s squad for the opening Test against India, which gets under way in Brisbane on December 4.
Australia’s team doctor Peter Brukner revealed that Clarke will resume running in the next few days and his involvement in the first of four Tests is dependent on him coming through a two-day encounter playing for a Cricket Australia XI against an Indian XI in Adelaide at the end of the week.
“We would have preferred him to play in the round of Sheffield Shield starting tomorrow (Tuesday) but unfortunately his condition did not allow him enough time to be ready for that match,” chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said
“The aim is for him to play in the two-day CA XI match against India at the Adelaide Oval starting this Friday and his selection for the first Test is very much dependent on him pulling up well from that match.
“It goes without saying that Michael is a world-class batsman and it is important that he is 100 per-cent fit to be able to play in the first Test.”
Australia have included uncapped fast bowler Josh Hazlewood in their squad, while fellow pace bowler Ryan Harris and all-rounder Shane Watson return in place of Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell.
Australia squad Michael Clarke (c), Brad Haddin (vc), Ryan Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, David Warner, Shane Watson.
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