Michael Clarke
MOHALI, India _ Australia's selectors will juggle injury concerns including Michael Clarke's back complaint as they prepare for Friday's dead-rubber fourth Test against India in Delhi.
Clarke was clearly in pain as he scored 18 in Australia's second innings of the third Test on Monday in Mohali as the visitors were bowled out for 223, setting India a target of 133.
India reached 4-136 to take a 3-0 lead in the series and clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Clarke says that he's determined to play on Friday. Australia is hoping to regain No.th1 wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, who missed the third Test with an ankle complaint.
Brad Haddin, who kept wicket in place of Wade in Mohali, will remain with the squad on standby for Wade.
Australia also regains first-choice players Shane Watson and James Pattinson and squad members Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Johnson from suspension after the four were handed one-match bans for failing to complete a homework assignment on time.
Clarke's dual roles as skipper and leading batsman in the side would leave a gaping hole if he was absent and the 31-year-old is confident he can protect a proud record of not missing a match through injury over his 92-Test career.
``It's pretty sore,'' Clarke said.
``It is the same problem I have had since I was 17 and I have been trying to manage it throughout my career.''
Clarke says the return of Watson is a huge positive for the side after the suspended vice-captain spent the past week in Sydney for the birth of his first child.
``I know all the boys are looking forward to having him back,'' Clarke said.
Watson had called his ban harsh and claimed he was considering his playing future.
Watson says he has had several constructive discussions with Cricket Australia's high-performance chief Pat Howard after what Watson described as an emotional week.
Howard had labelled Watson a good team man ``sometimes.''
