CRICKET Australia said on Tuesday (March 26) skipper Michael Clarke will miss the IPL but should be fit in time for the Ashes as he endures a lengthy lay-off for treatment of his chronic back and hamstring problems.
CA said after a medical assessment that Clarke was several weeks away from returning to training as he works to resolve the persistent injury issues.
Clarke has had scans since returning home last weekend from the India tour, but CA said it was confident the batsman would lead Australia in the Ashes Test series in England starting in July.
He was due to take up the captaincy of Pune Warriors for the lucrative Indian Premier League in April-May, but will instead recover at home.
“Michael Clarke had scans that confirmed his current lower back injury is an exacerbation of previous issues he has had with his spine,” CA medical chief Justin Paoloni said in a statement.
“As always, we need to manage this carefully as there are potentially serious consequences with further aggravation.
“He still has pain with basic activities and is not back to full function as yet.” Paoloni said hamstring problems would also complicate Clarke’s return to cricket.
“Michael is having intensive rehabilitation for both his back and hamstring but is still 7-10 weeks away from returning to training and playing,” he said.
“We are confident that it will not affect his Ashes preparation but will know more over the coming weeks.”
CA said Clarke’s rehabilitation programme would be overseen by the organisation’s medical team and back specialists.
Clarke was the only batsman to perform consistently in the Test series in India, which Australia lost 4-0, scoring 286 runs at an average of 47.66.
The first Ashes Test begins at Nottingham’s Trent Bridge ground on July 10.
