Australia coach Mickey Arthur says he’s confident skipper Michael Clarke can overcome a back injury to play in Friday’s dead-rubber fourth Test against India.
Australia trail three-nil in the four-match series and the tourists face further changes to their line-up with the return of vice-captain Shane Watson and in-form quick James Pattinson from one-match suspensions for failing to meet a homework deadline.
Coach/selector Arthur is also anxious to see if wicketkeeper Matthew Wade can prove his fitness after missing last week’s third Test in Mohal with a sore ankle.
Pace bowler Mitchell Starc is going back to Australia for ankle surgery, Cricket Australia announced on Tuesday.
The return of Pattinson is now a straight swap for Starc, however Australia will have to ponder the state of the Delhi pitch, which is expected to offer assistance to the spin bowlers.
Australia’s two frontline spinners Xavier Doherty and Nathan Lyon took three wickets between them in the third Test in Mohali as the tourists suffered a six-wicket loss to concede the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to MS Dhoni’s side.
In contrast, spin claimed seven of the 10 wickets to fall in each of Australia’s two innings in Mohali.
Offspinning allrounder Glenn Maxwell was dropped after taking four wickets on debut in the second Test but remains an option for Delhi.
Arthur’s first priority is getting the skipper ready to play.
“He is in a bit of pain. With Michael Clarke you never say never,” Arthur said.
“We’ll give him every opportunity to get up for it because he is such a vital cog in our team.
“It has been ongoing injury that he’s had numerous times.”
Arthur says Watson will probably captain the side if Clarke is unfit. The 35-year-old gloveman Brad Haddin looms as another possibility, having led the side for short periods during the third Test when Clarke was off the field receiving treatment.
“Just to have the stability of a senior player around has been amazing and it has helped Pup (Clarke) massively,” Arthur said.
“Indications are that Wadey could be fit.
“Hadds could come into the equation very much as a batsman. He could still play as a keeper.”
