Michael Clarke to miss first India Test after ruling himself out of tour match and grade cricket: reports
Michael Clarke will reportedly be ruled out of the first Test against India in Brisbane due to his hamstring injury.
Cricket Australia (CA) on Monday night was adamant Clarke would need to play in the upcoming tour match against India in Adelaide, but Clarke ruled himself out of the match, saying he would instead play Sydney grade cricket for Western Suburbs on Saturday.
According to News Corp reports, CA will announce Clarke will not take the field in either the Western Suburbs match or the tour match against India, ruling him out of the Brisbane Test.
Brad Haddin would therefore be expected to be announced as Australia's 45th Test captain in the first Test, which starts on December 4.
"If he is not able to get up for the CA XI game, and given his history with this recurring injury, he will be ruled out of any cricket this week and the first Test," CA said in a statement.
"Our focus will shift to getting him fit to play the second Test in Adelaide."
Chairman of selectors Rod Marsh said yesterday that Clarke had to be back running by Wednesday and get through the two-day tour match against India starting on Friday to prove his fitness.
Clarke told the Nine Network in a pre-recorded interview that he was running at "about 50 per cent" on Monday.
"I had my first run today, and touch wood, I'm feeling pretty good," Clarke said.
"I want to say 100 per cent. I want to say I'm going to be there, but I don't think it would be fair for me to have to make that decision now."
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Clarke and CA high performance chief Pat Howard have said Haddin would be a suitable caretaker captain, amid growing calls to promote Steve Smith to the top job.
"I'm a real good vice-captain. I don't know about captain. If the time comes and that's the decision they decide to go with, I'm comfortable," Haddin said on Monday.
"I can lead a cricket team."
Top-order batsmen Phillip Hughes and Shaun Marsh are the leading contenders to take Clarke's spot at the Gabba.
