SYDNEY: Australia captain Michael Clarke was on Tuesday ruled out of next month’s one-day series against Pakistan with a ‘significant’ hamstring injury that is worse than first thought.

The 33-year-old, who has a catalogue of back and hamstring trouble, was forced to retire hurt in a one-dayer against Zimbabwe in Harare on Aug 31 and returned home from the tour early.

Scans have since revealed tendon damage in the affected area and he will have to sit out the team’s final one-day tour before hosting the World Cup next year, Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said.

“Since returning to Australia, Michael has had a series of investigations that have confirmed a significant hamstring injury,” Kountouris said in a statement.

“Importantly, the scans have demonstrated tendon damage — which complicates the recovery from this injury.

“As such, he will not recover in time to be available for the ODI series in the United Arab Emirates.

“We hope he will be available for the Test series, but this will be determined at a date closer to the first Test.:

The three-game one-day series against Pakistan starts on Oct 7 with the first of two Tests not until Oct 22.

On his early return to Australia from Zimbabwe, Clarke was adamant that his ongoing hamstring and back problems would not result in a premature end to his one-day career.

“It’s hard for me to look any further down the track than where I am today but I love the game as much as I ever have and the last thing I am thinking about is retiring,” he said then.

Clarke has been at the forefront of Australian team’s resurgence in the last 12 months and is likely to play an important role in the team’s preparations for the World Cup, which starts from Feb 14 in Australia and New Zealand.

He averages 45 with the bat in 237 ODIs, including eight centuries and 56 half centuries, and was part of Australia’s World Cup winning team in 2007. He has had more success in the Test arena, averaging 51.5 in 105 matches including 27 centuries and 27 half centuries.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2014