I’ll be fit for the first Test: Clarke

February 12, 2013 04:50 pm | Updated 04:50 pm IST - Sydney

Australia captain Michael Clarke

Australia captain Michael Clarke

Australia captain Michael Clarke said that he would be fit in time for the first Test against India starting February 22 but doubt still remains on his participation in the warm-up game that starts this weekend in Chennai.

Before leaving for India Tuesday morning, Clarke said he feels much better now. The Australian captain strained his right hamstring during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Hobart. He injured it again last Friday.

Clarke said he would take a call on the warm-up game after consulting team physio Alex Kountouris, who is already in India.

“In my mind cricke-—wise I feel as if I need that game to spend some time in the middle in Indian conditions, both batting and bowling but also with my captaincy as well,” Clarke was quoted as saying by the Australian media before boarding a flight to India.

“Like all the boys the more preparation we can get leading into that first Test match in Indian conditions the better. I’d really like to play that three-dayer. India is such a different place to Australia, but I’ll listen to the expert and see what he has to say.”

Clarke, who has never missed a Test since making his debut on the subcontinent in 2004, said that he has enough time to get ready for the first Test of the four-match series.

“There’s so much time I don’t think there’ll be any doubt I’ll be fit for the first Test match. I’m feeling much better. I’ve had four days of recovery, rehab and a lot of physio, I’m certainly on the mend.

“I’ve got some time when I arrive in India to get myself 100 per cent fit as well, that’s very positive for me,” he said.

The first Test will be held in Chennai from Feb 22. Hyderabad (March 2-6), Mohali (March 14-18) and Delhi (March 22-26) host the remaining three Tests.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.