AUSTRALIAN vice-captain Michael Clarke is racing to be fully fit for the first Ashes Test after courageously struggling through a match-saving innings for NSW at the SCG yesterday.
Clarke scored a century on day three of the Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria, but revealed afterwards that he had suffered back soreness since day one of the match.
Clarke told The Sun-Herald yesterday morning that he would spend time receiving physiotherapy.
Batting at No.8, Clarke began his innings at 4.23pm with the score at 6-162 and survived an appeal for lbw off Peter Siddle when on one.
However, Australian cricket fans may have wished he was out, as he grimaced after playing shots and ambled tenderly between the wickets.
Team physiotherapist Murray Ryan was unavailable for comment.
But bowler Stuart Clark said he was not concerned about Clarke's fitness just 12 days from the first Test.
''He's sore from batting in the first innings for a long period of time after, as I was just joking with him, not getting many in India or batting that long,'' Clark said. ''I think it's just stiffness from batting and being hunched over for long periods of time.
''The selectors will meet and obviously the physio will re-assess Michael over the next couple of days,'' he said. ''But at this stage I'd assume he's playing.''
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