Australia skipper Michael Clarke has been taken to hospital with gastroenteritis.
There is further fitness concern for Aussie captain Clarke as the 31-year-old has been hospitalised with gastroenteritis.
Clarke was already suffering with a spinal injury that has ruled him out of action for 10 weeks and is set to miss the sixth edition of the IPL, which starts on Wednesday.
Now the Australian Test leader has more issues after being struck down with this latest stomach virus.
The batsman was forced home early from Australia’s recent tour of India, missing the fourth Test defeat in Delhi of the 4-0 whitewash series – the Aussie’s worst Test series loss since 1970.
However, despite having to contend with two fitness problems of late, Clarke is still confident that he will be ready to face England in the first Ashes series of the year in July.
Despite his side’s relatively poor displays on the cricket pitch recently the Australia skipper has himself been outstanding, averaging 106.33 with the bat in 2012 and also being the only Australian to score a century in India.
Clarke’s absence from the side in the Delhi match was the first time in his 92-Test career that he has missed a five-day game through injury.
The spinal problem that put him out of that match has also caused a rethink from IPL side Pune Warriors, who were pushing to name Clarke as their captain for the 2013 season. With the Australian batsman out of the tournament, Pune have opted for Sri Lankan ODI skipper Angelo Mathews to lead the side instead.
Australia take on England in the first Ashes Test of 2013 at Trent Bridge on July 10.
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