Sydney: Australia captain Michael Clarke could make an earlier than expected return to domestic first-class cricket as he accelerates his preparation for the first Ashes series against England.
Clarke will undergo a fitness test on Tuesday to determine whether his troublesome back is in good enough condition to play for New South Wales against Tasmania in a Sheffield Shield match beginning Wednesday.
He hasn't played since a limited-overs international against England in September and wasn't expected to return until New South Wales' match against Victoria from Nov. 6.
But he has been named in New South Wales' 12-man squad for the Tasmania match and NSW coach Trevor Bayliss said Clarke seemed "pretty good
