Australian Test captain Michael Clarke is again suffering back soreness and has been ordered not to play the opening round of the Twenty20 Big Bash League (BBL).

Cricket Australia (CA) hierarchy have also told pacemen Ben Hilfenhaus and John Hastings to sit out the initial BBL round, while Test hopeful Josh Hazlewood won’t play for a month because of a foot injury.

Clarke reported lower back stiffness after the third Test loss to South Africa in Perth.

“Our medical staff have advised Michael not to play cricket this weekend,” CA executive general manager of team performance Pat Howard said in a statement on Wednesday.

Clarke has long been troubled by back problems, caused by degenerative discs in his lower back.

The Test skipper is expected to named on Thursday in Australia’s squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka starting on December 14.

But paceman Hastings is expected to miss the Sri Lankan series opener after also complaining of back pain following his Test debut in the loss to the Proteas.

“He had scans that have ruled out serious injury,” CA’s chief medical officer Justin Paoloni said in a statement on Wednesday.

“He will be reviewed later this week to determine his return to training and playing.

“He will miss the first Big Bash League game and possibly be unavailable for selection for the first Test versus Sri Lanka in Hobart, depending on how responds to treatment.”

Hilfenhaus has also been ordered to sit out the opening BBL match, after being rested for the Perth Test following a heavy recent workload.

Hazlewood was summoned into Australia’s squad for the third Test but didn’t make the final XI.

“Hazlewood reported some left foot soreness in the same region of his foot where he had a stress fracture last season,” Paoloni said.

“Because of his age and history with this type of injury, he will have a short break from bowling for a few weeks and be back playing in approximately four-six weeks.”