Clarke on track to be fit for first Test vs India

Australia skipper Michael Clarke is on track to play against India in next month’s first Brisbane Test, chief selector Rod Marsh said on Sunday.

Marsh said scans of an injured left hamstring had came up better than expected. (Bailey can lead Aus if Clarke is not fit: Mitchell Johnson) Clarke’s availability for this season’s four Tests was thrown in doubt when he again injured his hamstring while batting during Friday’s one-day victory over South Africa in Perth.

He has already been ruled out of the rest of the five-match ODI series against the Proteas.

It was Clarke’s third hamstring injury since August, raising fears the 107-Test batsman would miss the first Test against India starting in Brisbane on December 4.

But Marsh said the latest setback did not appear too bad.

‘He saw a guy this morning and I’ve never seen a happier doctor on our team,’ Marsh said in a television interview during the second ODI in Perth on Sunday.

‘He looked really happy with what’s going to happen, so I’m backing Michael Clarke to play.’

Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin is also on course to play in the first Test despite being ruled out of the entire ODI series against South Africa with a shoulder injury he suffered against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates earlier this month.

Clarke’s hamstring and back problems remain a continuing concern for Australia heading into a heavy playing schedule that includes a World Cup early next year and an Ashes series in England.