SYDNEY: Injured Australian skipper Michael Clarke said Monday he will miss a vital lead-up game, raising fresh doubts about his chances of playing in next month's first Test against India.
Clarke, who was named in a 12-man squad Monday subject to a fitness test on his left hamstring, was selected to play for a Cricket Australia XI against the tourists in Adelaide on Friday.
Clarke later confirmed that he will not be playing in that match, placing his position in the Test squad in doubt.
"I've been pulled out of, or passed unfit to play the game in Adelaide," Clarke told reporters in Sydney.
"The medical team in the Australian cricket team have ruled me out of that game."
But he said he was hopeful of playing in a Sydney club game at the weekend to prove his fitness, if he was allowed to take part.
"I would hope with my experience that the selectors, my team-mates, Cricket Australia, will all respect my opinion," he said.
Clarke has been struggling to avoid missing his first home Test match after injuring the hamstring in the recent one-day series against South Africa in Perth. He also continues to undergo daily treatment for an ongoing back condition.
Chief selector Rod Marsh had earlier suggested that Wednesday was a deadline day for Clarke to get himself ready to play in the Adelaide match and if he played and recovered well, he would take his place in the Brisbane Test side.
No possible Test replacement has been named.
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