Michael Clarke to miss ODI series against Pakistan, hopeful for Tests

Melbourne, Sep 16 (IANS) Cricket Australia (CA) on Tuesday confirmed that national team captain Michael Clarke has a "significant hamstring injury" and will miss the One-Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan in the UAE but is still hopeful for the Tests beginning next month.

CA physiotherapist Alex Kountouris was hopeful that Clarke would recover in time for the Tests, with a decision on his availability expected to be taken only closer to the start of the series.

"Since returning to Australia, Michael has had a series of investigations that have confirmed a significant hamstring injury. Importantly, the scans have demonstrated tendon damage which complicates the recovery from this injury. As such, he will not recover in time to be available for the ODI series in the UAE," Kountouris said in a CA release.

"We are hopeful that he will be available for the Test series but this will be determined at a date closer to the first Test."

Australia's tour of the United Arab Emirates begins with a Twenty20 International against Pakistan on October 5, followed by three ODIs from October 7 to 12.

Australia will play Pakistan A in a four-day game on October 15 before the start of the two Tests series beginning October 22.

"You can't be confident about Michael, but he has only missed one game in over 100 (Tests). He is doing intensive rehabilitation work in Sydney, but has not yet started running or batting," Chairman of selectors Rod Marsh had said last week while announcing the squads for the UAE tour.