Allrounder Mitchell Marsh has been ruled out of cricket for up to six months with back stress fractures, while injured Australian captain Michael Clarke says he’s unlikely to have recovered in time for Sunday’s one-day international against India in Brisbane.

Clarke, who injured his hamstring during the last-over loss to India in Adelaide last week, sat out Friday’s match against Sri Lanka at the SCG and said he probably won’t be right for Sunday’s game.

“I’ve got a little hamstring strain. It’s on the mend. It’s probably unlikely I’ll be picked for Brisbane, though,” Clarke told the Nine Network.

“I’ve done a lot of work over the last couple of days and physio Alex Kountouris would prefer me to rest but I’m not far away at all.

“It’s going to be hard to watch, that’s for sure, but the boys are flying so no doubt Punter (Ricky Ponting) can come out and do a great job, as he has for a long time.”

There was worse injury news for young Western Australian allrounder Mitch Marsh, who has been ruled out for a lengthy period with lower-back stress fractures.

Marsh complained of back pain during a training session at the SCG on Thursday and scans confirmed a stress fracture.

The 20-year-old will undergo further scans in Melbourne on Saturday to determine the extent of the injury but the youngster is likely to miss the rest of the summer and could be out for up to six months.

A replacement for Marsh in the national squad will be named if required ahead of Sunday’s fixture.