Australian captain Michael Clarke has been ruled out of this month's tour to India in an effort to have him as fit as possible for the home Ashes series.
According to The Age, in more unsettling news for Australia, which is also dealing with a fresh bout of injuries to its fast bowlers, Clarke's recovery from the latest flare-up of his chronic back injury has been too slow for him to lead the team to India for a seven-game ODI series.
Chairman of selectors, John Inverarity said that Clarke was very keen to captain the ODI team to India but unfortunately he has not progressed enough to be available for selection.
The decision to withdraw him from the series is not a surprise, but paves the way for South Australian batsman Callum Ferguson to return to Australian colours after two-and-a-half years in the wilderness, the report said.
Ferguson has played 30 ODIs for Australia, and scored 271 runs at 45 in last summer's Ryobi Cup, the report added.
Team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said Clarke would need more rest, just as he had an extended lay-off before the winter's Ashes defeat in England, the report further said.
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He said that during the recent England ODI series, his injury flared up again and has been slow to improve with his regular tournament regime.
ODI squad to play India: George Bailey (capt), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Callum Ferguson, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Moises Henriques, Phil Hughes, Mitchell Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, Adam Voges, Shane Watson.
Australian T20 squad to play India: George Bailey (capt), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Moises Henriques, Mitchell Johnson, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, Adam Voges, Shane Watson.
