His mind is still willing, but could Michael Clarke’s ailing body result in a premature end to his bright captaincy stint?
That’s the question up for debate after Clarke re-injured his left hamstring while batting in Friday’s one-dayer against South Africa at the WACA Ground.
It was the third time since August Clarke has tweaked his left hamstring.
And although his latest setback appears minor, his long history of chronic back issues – which can commonly affect the hamstring – spells bad news for his long-term aspirations.
Clarke is almost certain to miss the rest of the five-match series against South Africa, with scans on Saturday to determine whether he can be fit for the four-Test series against India, starting on December 4.
Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who will miss the entire ODI series due to a shoulder injury, is also facing a fight to be fit for the first Test.
Just a day before re-injuring his hamstring, Clarke was hopeful of staying on the field for an extended period.
“Touch wood, it’s going really well at the moment,” Clarke said of his body.
“It’s been nice to – or it will be nice to – get some back-to-back cricket.
“Obviously I was a little bit short and still am a little bit short of game time, but I think the more you play that helps.”
Clarke made just 11 off 20 balls against South Africa before gloving a Dale Steyn bouncer through to the wicketkeeper.
Although he didn’t appear hampered during the innings, it was later revealed he had suffered a recurrence of the hamstring issues that recently plagued him in Zimbabwe.
Clarke’s form has been scratchy for much of the past year.
In the recent 2-0 Test drubbing from Pakistan in the UAE, Clarke managed just 57 runs over four innings at an average of 14.25.
But fitness permitting, Clarke clearly remains the best man to lead Australia at next year’s World Cup and the 2015 Ashes in England.
Just last summer, Clarke led Australia to a 5-0 Ashes whitewash over England, before following that up with a tense 2-1 Test series win in South Africa.
Clarke averages 50.59 at Test level and 45.06 in ODIs, and his presence is particularly crucial to an Australian side that is still trying to figure out its best batting line-up, especially in the contentious No.3 Test slot.
But with Australia facing a packed schedule over the next 12 months, Clarke’s injury woes represent a major worry to Cricket Australia.
Clarke’s latest setback is set to open the door for Steve Smith to return for Sunday’s second one-dayer after the all-rounder was surprisingly left out of the series opener.
