SYDNEY: Australia captain Michael Clarke will miss the limited-overs cricket series against Pakistan next month due to a hamstring injury that forced him home early from a recent series in Zimbabwe.
In a statement Tuesday, Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said tests had confirmed "a significant hamstring injury" that would force Clarke to miss three ODI matches in the United Arab Emirates from Oct. 7-12.
"Importantly, the scans have demonstrated tendon damage which complicates the recovery from this injury," said Koutouris, who remained hopeful that the 33-year-old Clarke will be available for the two test matches against Pakistan starting Oct. 22.
Clarke, who has struggled in the past with a back problem, hurt his left hamstring last month and missed Australia's first two games in the tri-series involving South Africa and Zimbabwe. He returned to play against Zimbabwe but retired hurt during his innings and, although he returned to bat and field, it was his only game of the tour.
Clarke has been at the forefront of Australian team's resurgence in the last 12 months and is likely to play an important role in the team's preparations for the World Cup, which starts February in Australia and New Zealand.
He averages 45 with the bat in 237 ODIs, including eight centuries and 56 half centuries, and was part of Australia's World Cup winning team in 2007. He has had more success in the test arena, averaging 51.5 in 105 matches including 27 centuries and 27 half centuries.
