Australian captain Michael Clarke appears a certain starter for NSW in their Sheffield Shield opener against Tasmania after getting through the final training session with team-mates at Blacktown on Tuesday.
Clarke batted fluently in the nets and ran freely during fielding drills, meaning only a last minute setback with his back in the morning would keep him out of the four-day, pre-Ashes clash starting on Wednesday at Blacktown International Sportspark.
The star batsman was ruled out of Australia’s one-day tour to India, but says he’s aiming to play in all three of the Blues’ Shield matches leading into the first Test against England starting on November 21 in Brisbane.
Despite missing the Champions Trophy in June with back problems, Clarke managed to play in Australia’s two first-class warm-up matches leading into the last Ashes series – and the 32-year-old is hoping to take a similar preparation into the return series.
Clarke denies his back condition is becoming harder to manage, claiming that when the twilight comes for his career, his playing days are more likely to be ended by selectors than by his body.
“I certainly don’t believe that my back will play a part in regards to shortening my career,” Clarke said on Tuesday.
“I think it will be more the case that I’m not performing and selectors will drop me.
“Otherwise, hopefully I can get to a day a few years on from now where I will get the opportunity to retire.
“But right now I feel fit and healthy.”
Clarke’s return to the field is a major boost for Australia less than a month out from the first Test, but it’s also an aid for NSW as they look to kick-off their bid for a first Shield flag since 2007-08 with a win over defending champions Tasmania.
There’s a great opportunity for Clarke, fellow Australian batsmen David Warner and Steve Smith as well as Test hopefuls Ed Cowan, Alex Doolan and Nic Maddinson to pile on the runs on what looks a flat deck at Blacktown.
However, Clarke said it was important he and others with Test ambitions, treated the match first and foremost as a must-win Shield fixture.
“I’d love to play three games for NSW (in the Ashes lead-up), that would be the perfect preparation for me,” he said.
“But most importantly it would give me an opportunity to have some success in the Sheffield Shield competition at the start of the year.
“You don’t turn up to Shield games and use this as preparation for anything – no matter who you are.
“It’s about trying to help NSW win and hopefully I can play a part in that.”
NSW: Michael Clarke (capt), Doug Bollinger, Ryan Carters, Trent Copeland, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Henry, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Steve O’Keefe, Steve Smith, Gurinder Sandhu, David Warner.
Tasmania: Tim Paine (capt), Alex Doolan (vc), Luke Butterworth, Ed Cowan, Ben Dunk, Andrew Fekete, Evan Gulbis, Ben Hilfenhaus, Sam Rainbird, Clive Rose, Jordan Silk, Jon Wells.