SYDNEY, Australia, CMC – Australia captain Michael Clarke has been officially ruled out of the limited overs tour of the West Indies and will not travel with the team which left yesterday for the Caribbean.
Cricket Australia said Clarke will receive “intensive rehabilitation” for the left hamstring strain he sustained on Tuesday in the second Tri-Series final against Sri Lanka, with the view of leading the side for the three-Test series against the Windies.
“Michael’s scan yesterday has confirmed a left hamstring strain and he will not travel with the team to the West Indies,” said physiotherapist Alex Kountouris.
“He will take part in an intensive rehabilitation program in Sydney and we expect that he will recover in time to take part in the Test portion of the West Indies tour.”
Fast bowler James Pattinson is also an injury worry for the tour after picking straining his left buttock muscle during Tuesday’s match.
“He will have treatment in the West Indies over the next week in an attempt to be fit for the ODI series,” Kountouris said.
All-rounder Shane Watson, who only recently returned from injury, will now lead Australia in the five One-Day Internationals which bowl off next Friday at the Arnos Vale Stadium in St Vincent.
“I am very fresh after missing the majority of the summer so I am very excited to be able to go and continue to play a lot more cricket,” Watson said before flying out.
“I have got through [the ODIs against Sri Lanka] and that is the most important thing.” The Test series will be played from April 7-27.
