Australia skipper Michael Clarke ruled out of Pakistan ODIs
Clarke is a doubtful starter for the Test series as well
Sydney: Australia captain Michael Clarke has been ruled out of next month's one-day international series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates due to a hamstring injury and is doubtful for the Test series to follow.
Australia's leading batsman, Clarke flew home from Zimbabwe recently after aggravating his left hamstring injury during a one-day international tournament.
"Since returning to Australia Michael has had a series of investigations that have confirmed a significant hamstring injury," Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said in an Australian Cricket Board statement on Tuesday.
"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."
Australia's selectors had named Clarke captain of the 15-man squad for the tests and skipper of the 14-member ODI squad released last week.
After a one-off Twenty20 match on Oct. 5, Australia play Pakistan in the three one-dayers before the first test starts Oct. 22 in Dubai.
"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," Kountouris added.
Hughes to replace injured Clarke in Pakistan series:
Batsman Phil Hughes will replace injured captain Michael Clarke in next month's one-day series against Pakistan, Cricket Australia said Wednesday.
The national selection panel confirmed Hughes will replace him in the three-game series in the United Arab Emirates.
Hughes had been named in the Test squad to play Pakistan and was set to travel to the UAE earlier than his teammates to work on his batting against spin with coaching consultant and Sri Lankan great Muttiah Muralitharan.