Mark Taylor concerned about Michael Clarke's long-term future in cricket

Adelaide: Former Australia Test captain Mark Taylor on Tuesday said he’s concerned for the future of Michael Clarke after the current skipper once again injured his troublesome back on day one of the first Test against India at the Adelaide Oval here on Tuesday. Clarke grimaced when he swayed to avoid a bouncer from India pacer Ishant Sharma during the second session, and later retired hurt with his score on 60. [caption id=“attachment_210602” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Michael Clarke. Reuters[/caption] Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed Clarke suffered a lower back complaint that was causing “considerable pain” and had left the ground with support team doctor Peter Brukner for further assessment. It’s the latest in a long line of injuries for Clarke in 2014, most of which are related to the chronic back complaint that he’s battled for most of his career. Taylor said it was hard to be critical of the decision to play Clarke, given he’d batted comfortably for 115 minutes before the injury struck. “He made 60 and obviously batted for quite a long time, so in a fitness test situation he wouldn’t have batted that long,” Taylor told cricket.com.au. “So, he obviously would have passed fitness tests and what have you.” “So whether he should have played or not, people will probably turn around and say ’no’ because he’s obviously broken down with the same injury,” Taylor said. “I think in this situation, no one’s had any cricket for two weeks so it’s been very hard for him to prove his fitness. He probably would have got through a grade game because he may not have batted as long and might have taken it easy.” With the ICC Cricket World Cup starting in February ahead of the 2015 Ashes series in Britain, Taylor says the fact Clarke has broken down again in such an innocuous manner was a cause for concern. “Absolutely, I think we’re all concerned,” Taylor said. “It’s an injury that continues to flare up at the moment.” “It flared up in Zimbabwe and then in Perth, and now again here a month later. So that’s a concern.” “I know Clarkey would be working like a Trojan to make sure it’s right. He’ll be doing all kinds of exercises and training to get that part of his body as fit and strong as he possibly can,” Taylor said. “And yet, a short ball down the leg side and a little flinch injures it.” IANS