Australian captain Michael Clarke is in doubt for the one-day tri-series against Zimbabwe and South Africa in Harare after injuring his hamstring at training.
The skipper experienced pain in his left hamstring during the warm-up of the team’s first training session since touching down in Zimbabwe, and took no further part in Friday’s proceedings.
Although the damage is believed to be minor, Australia will take a conservative approach in managing Clarke, with a Test series against Pakistan in the UAE to follow the African ODI tour in October.
Following those Tests, Australia launches into a non-stop international schedule leading into next year’s Ashes in the UK – including a home summer series against India and the one-day World Cup.
The setback comes as a blow to injury-hampered Clarke who is coming off his longest break from cricket duties in many years.
He hasn’t played since leading Australia to their Test series win over South Africa in February and March.
Clarke would appear next to no chance of lining up in Australia’s opening ODI against Zimbabwe on Monday at Harare Sports Club, and should he miss the clash, George Bailey would take the reins in his absence.
“Michael Clarke experienced some pain in his left hamstring during training today. We will monitor his condition closely over the next 24 hours to see how he responds to further treatment before making a decision on his management,” said team physio, David Beakley.
Australia already lost experienced all-rounder Shane Watson to an ankle injury in the lead-up to the round-robin tour, which sees each nation play each other twice before a final on September 6.
Watson’s replacement in the 14-man squad was Phil Hughes, and now the in-form left-hander shapes as a likely inclusion at the top of the order if Clarke is sidelined.
Clarke, 33, has a history of chronic back problems which affected him at the start of last year’s Ashes tour, and earlier this year he copped a physical battering from South Africa’s pace attack – playing through shoulder and finger damage.
Australia are participating in their first international tour of Zimbabwe in more than 10 years – a one-day series back in 2004 which Clarke was a part of.
