Michael Clarke to miss Sussex clash

Australia captain Michael Clarke will miss his side’s tour match against Sussex this week, while rookie off-spinner Ashton Turner is set to make his first-class debut for the struggling tourists at Hove.

Clarke is sidelined amid reports that a long-standing back injury flared up after Australia’s crushing second Test defeat against England at Lord’s. Ed Cowan will skipper the team in Clarke’s absence, with vice-captain Brad Haddin, openers Shane Watson and Chris Rogers plus pace bowlers Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris all rested.

Those changes mean a surprise chance for Turner, who had been playing in the English amateur leagues for Chichester Priory Park as part of a development programme run by Cricket Australia and Hampshire. The 20-year-old has taken 18 wickets at an average of 40.78 for the Sussex Premier League club this season. Turner, a member of the Australia Under-19 team that finished runners-up to India in last year’s World Cup, was one of six Australian Institute Of Sport scholars to be awarded a summer placement in England. His call-up means Australia will field three spinners against Sussex.