Australia captain Michael Clarke has suffered a extensive list of hamstring and back problems over the past two years, with his exit from the Adelaide Oval just the latest example.

* Dec 2012 – Retires hurt during the Test in Hobart due to a right hamstring injury, but recovers to play Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.

* Feb 2013 – Misses an ODI due to “stiffness” in his right hamstring.

* Mar 2013 – Misses the fourth Test in India due to three degenerative discs in his lower back, an issue Clarke has been managing since he was 17.

* June 2013 – Misses the IPL and Australia’s Champions Trophy campaign due to back and hamstring problems.

* Aug 2014 – Tweaks his left hamstring while training in Harare.

* Aug 2014 – Aggravates his left hamstring injury during an ODI against Zimbabwe, retires hurt and returns to Australia.

* Nov 2014 – Aggravates the left hamstring injury during an ODI against South Africa.

* Dec 2014 – Retires hurt during the first Test against India due to a chronic back injury, but returns to make a hundred and fields.

* Dec 2014 – Limps off Adelaide Oval due to a right hamstring injury. Scans confirm a serious tear that will force him to miss the rest of the four-Test series.