Michael Clarke is set to miss an extended chunk of Australia’s triangular one-day series in Harare with his left hamstring problem.

The skipper was fighting to be passed fit for the opening fixture against Zimbabwe on Monday, but his stand-in George Bailey has revealed the star batsman will only be available for the back end of the series.

Australia face fierce rivals South Africa in a heavyweight battle on Wednesday, and to lose Clarke is a significant blow.

Bailey has become no stranger to taking the reins from Clarke, he had to take on the captaincy at last year’s Champions Trophy amid high drama.

Clarke’s back problem had flared up, David Warner had been stood down for punching England rival Joe Root in a Birmingham bar, and the walls were falling in on Mickey Arthur’s tenure as coach.

No risks will be taken with Clarke, given Australia travel immediately to the UAE for a Test series against Pakistan following these one-dayers, ahead of a jam-packed 12 months of international cricket.

Bailey hopes he won’t be standing in for Clarke for the entire tournament.

“It happens a little bit too often,” Bailey said at the toss for the opening match against Zimbabwe.

“Hopefully `Pup’ will be right for the back end of this series. Rest up for the first couple and then get himself right.”

With Clarke out of the line-up, South Africa’s bowling attack will like their chances against an Australian batting order heavily reliant on allrounders.