Michael Clarke missed Australia’s last training session before the fourth Test in Delhi and looks unlikely to play.
It seems almost certain that Australian captain Michael Clarke will miss the fourth Test of the current series with India with a back injury.
Clarke has struggled all week to get to match fitness and, after missing Australia’s final training session before the match starts on Friday, it seems unlikely the skipper will play.
The 31-year-old’s absence from the side would mean that a new captain would have to be appointed to lead the side against the Indians.
Despite having only just returned from a one match suspension the most likely man to fill the position appears to be Shane Watson.
Watson is Australia’s vice-captain but issues were raised over his leadership qualities after he and three other players were suspended from the Test side for failing to complete their homework.
The fiasco that has surrounded Australian cricket since their axing on 11 March has been coupled by a third defeat of the series at the hands of India.
At 3-0 down going into the final Test in Delhi Australia are unable to avoid a series defeat – but can still save face by avoiding a whitewash in the sub-continent.
As well as Clarke there are set to be several changes to the Test side to start in the fourth Test. Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade is expected to return from injury to replace Brad Haddin, whilst Xavier Doherty looks unlikely to keep his place.
Mitchell Starc will be absent after returning home to have an ankle operation and with the pitch in Delhi likely to favour the spinners, Glenn Maxwell may be given the role of all-rounder ahead of Moises Henriques.
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