Clarke openly ponders playing future
Adam Burnett
Captain all but rules himself out of India Tests, concedes career uncertain
A pragmatic Michael Clarke has conceded that his Test future is contingent on his ongoing back and hamstring issues, with the national captain admitting "there's a chance I could never play again".
Clarke's disappointing news took the gloss off a remarkable Australian victory in the first Commonwealth Bank Test at the Adelaide Oval, as he spoke post match of the injury problem after earlier having scans on the troublesome right hamstring that ended his match midway through an absorbing final day.
"The scans are not great," Clarke told media after play. "They've certainly shown a tear there - the experts are looking at the moment.
"I can pretty confidently say that I won't take part in this Test series unfortunately, and then I'll wait on the experts' advice and opinions on what I need to do to get back out on the park."
Clarke pulled up sore after he sprinted and bent down to stop a ball in the field, clutching at the problem area.
He was immediately taken to hospital for scans, but was quick to state he did not rue taking part in the match.
Bupa Support Team physio Alex Kountouris rushed onto the field as Clarke lay on the ground, before the skipper slowly limped off the playing arena with Kountouris by his side.
"I dont have one regret (about playing this match), this was the most important Test match of my career, said Clarke, referring to the emotional context of the match in the aftermath of the tragic passing of his close friend Phillip Hughes.
"I have no regrets about playing in this Test, I have no regrets about going back onto the field after I retired hurt ... the rest will take care of itself," he said.
"I'll be guided by the experts and hopefully I get another opportunity to play throughout this summer.
"I don't know exactly how long I'm going to be out for - I think our first World Cup practice game is eight weeks away.
"I'd love to take part in the Tri-Series (against India and England in January), I'd love to take part in the World Cup, but I just have to wait and see.
"There's a chance I could never play again - I hope that's not the case and I'll be doing everything in my power to get back out on the park, but I think I've got to be realistic as well."
Pressed on the comment that he may never play again, Clarke added: "I think (with) my body in general, there's always that risk.
"You know, this is a different hamstring - I did my left hamstring, I've done the right side of my back, I've just done my right hammy ... obviously I've got injury concerns at the moment, now I have to go back and do what the experts tell me to give myself the best chance of being fully fit, but I think I have to be honest with myself and have a good hard think about things, definitely."
Clarke posted a courageous hundred during the first innings of the match despite being forced to retire hurt on 60 midway through the opening day with a back injury.
Speaking before day two, Kountouris said Clarke's lower right back injury was "probably" unrelated to the left hamstring injury he suffered during a one-day match against South Africa last month.
That injury, the third time he's hurt his left hamstring this year, had put Clarke in doubt for this Test, but he was cleared to play by medical staff on Monday.
At this point it is whether or not the captain's right lower-back injury is related to this latest hamstring issue.
The early stages of day five initially hinted at a slight improvement in Clarke's condition, after he took up his regular position at first slip to the spin of Steve Smith just before lunch.
But such optimism was short-lived, with the 33-year-old now set for another stint of rehabilitation on a body that continues to frustrate both himself and his legion of supporters.
