Clarke must prove fitness

ADELAIDE — Australia have named Michael Clarke (pictured) in a 12-man squad for the first test against India starting in Brisbane next week, but the hamstrung captain must prove his fitness in a tour match starting tomorrow.

Clarke re-injured his problematic hamstring during the one-day international series against South Africa and is in a race to be fit for the first match of the four-test series at the Gabba on 4 December.“my gut feeling all along was that he’d be fit for the test match,” chief selector Rod Marsh told reporters in Adelaide.

“But now he’s got to play the two-game day here for him to prove his fitness and I think that’s really important because with his recent history, we can’t have him breaking down in the first innings of a test match per se.”if Clarke fails in his bid, he would be replaced by a batsman, Marsh added, declining to name any candidates.

Uncapped paceman Josh Hazlewood has been rewarded for an impressive one-day series against South Africa with a place in the squad, but may be condemned to carrying the drinks, with Ryan Harris recalled after a long recovery from knee surgery.“(harris) will play in this upcoming round of Sheffield Shield to get more bowling under his belt but we are all hopeful he will be ready for a big summer of cricket,” Marsh said.

— Reuters