Clarke doubtful for Ashes opener following back injury

SYDNEY - Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke is suffering from back soreness and is reportedly doubtful for the Gabba Test against England.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Clarke scored a century on day three for New South Wales, but revealed afterwards that he had suffered back soreness since day one of the match.

New South Wales captain Stuart Clark, however, insists that Clarke’s injury is not that serious.

“He’s sore from batting in the first innings for a long period of time after, as I was just joking with him, not getting many in India or batting that long. I think it’s just stiffness from batting and being hunched over for long periods of time,” Clark said.

“He was always going to bat today. It was just a matter of, if we were two or three down, then he wouldn’t have been required. In the end we got to a stage where he needed to bat, so he went out and did it,” he added.

Clark is confident that Clarke will be available for NSW’s Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania, starting on Wednesday at the SCG.

“The selectors will meet and obviously the physio will re-assess Michael over the next couple of days. But at this stage I’d assume he’s playing,” Clarke said. (ANI)