ADELAIDE: Australia captain Michael Clarke has raised the prospect that his cricket career could be over after injuring his hamstring in the opening Test against India in Adelaide on Saturday.

Clarke said he intended to keep playing but the latest setback, which the 33-year-old said would force him to miss the remaining three tests of a series, had caused him to think about his future.

“There’s a chance I may never play again,” he told a news conference at Adelaide Oval. “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 have to be realistic as well.”

Clarke did not finish the match, which ended with Australia securing a thrilling 48-run victory, after he hurt himself on the final day.

He was sent for scans for the second time in a matter of days when he injured himself while fielding in the second session, pulling up sharply after feeling the hamstring go when reaching down to stop a ball.

He limped off with the assistance of the Australian team physiotherapist and said later the early prognosis was not good.

“The scans are not great, they certainly showed a tear there,” Clarke said. “The experts are looking at them and I can pretty confidently say that I won’t take part in this Test series.”

The main goal for Clarke though is the 50-over World Cup, which Australia is co-hosting with New Zealand in February and March next year.

“I want to be playing in Brisbane, every game I miss for Australia is heartbreaking,” he said.

“Our first [World Cup] practice game is eight weeks away.

“I’d love to take part in the tri-series, I’d love to take part in the World Cup but I just have to wait and see. Hopefully I’ll get another opportunity to play again this summer.”

Published in Dawn December 14th , 2014