Michael Clarke says he’s prepared to do lots of sprinting in the four-day match against Pakistan A after declaring himself fit following his recent hamstring injury.
Clarke will captain Australia in the tour game starting in Sharjah on Wednesday (1700 AEDT) after being ruled out of last week’s one-day series against Pakistan which Australia won three-nil.
“Once I step onto that ground, I’ll play the way I’ve played over the past 12 years,” Clarke said.
“If the ball’s there to chase to the boundary I’ll be sprinting after it.
“If I’ve got to run between the wickets as quickly as I can then that’s what I’ll be doing.
“I feel a lot better now than I did certainly after Zimbabwe when I tore my hamstring (on August 31).”
Having arrived in Dubai a few days before other members of the Test squad in a bid to ease through a gradual build-up to match fitness, Clarke has performed strongly in batting sessions and running drills at training.
Pace-bowling allrounder Mitchell Marsh will also play in the tour match despite injuring his hamstring on September 30.
“Mitch definitely won’t bowl in the first innings and hopefully he can bowl in the second innings,” Clarke said.
Marsh’s ability to bat and bowl in the tour-game could seen him firm for a possible Test debut in Dubai on October 22.
However David Warner’s groin strain, which caused him to limp off the field during Sunday’s third one-day game in Abu Dhabi, could mean back-up opener Phil Hughes is poised for a Test recall.
Warner has been ruled out of this week’s four-day game.
The tour match is believed to be 15 players per side, although Pakistan have named a 14-man squad and Australia have 15 available players.
“I know it’s not a first-class game so I think there is the option for everyone to play,” Clarke said.
“It’s not just about giving everybody an opportunity.
“I’m going into the tour game to win that game and start building momentum into that first Test match.
“Apart from Davey Warner, I’m pretty sure everyone else is 100 per cent fit to take part in the game and then we’ll assess it as the game goes on.”
Squads for four-day game:
Australia: Michael Clarke (capt), Alex Doolan, James Faulkner, Ben Hilfenhaus, Brad Haddin, Phil Hughes, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve O’Keefe, Mitchell Johnson, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.
Pakistan A: Asad Shafiq (capt),Shan Masood, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Harris Sohail, Israr Ullah, Adnan Akmal, Raza Hasan, Karamat Ali, Imran Khan, Atta Ullah, Rahat Ali, Ehsan Adil, Mohammad Talha.
