Australian coach Darren Lehmann will skip next month’s one-day tour of India, while injured skipper Michael Clarke remains in serious doubt, opening the door for the pair to start preparing for the return Ashes series immediately.
Lehmann, who took over the head coaching role from Mickey Arthur just before Australia’s Ashes series in England, will stay in Australia while fielding coach Steve Rixon takes over his duties for the seven-match series.
Clarke was named to lead the 14-man squad, with George Bailey vice-captain and injury-prone allrounder Shane Watson also included, but National Selector John Inverarity conceded his place on the tour was subject to fitness.
Clarke was troubled by back complaints throughout the tour of England, admitting on Wednesday it was “stiff and sore” following the arduous three-month trip which included a 3-0 Test series defeat, and with an all-important Ashes summer looming, it might be wise to let Australia’s most valuable commodity fully recover.
“After a long tour, Michael Clarke’s back condition has flared up again and he has been selected subject to fitness,” Inverarity said in a statement.
“He has returned to Australia for further assessment and the NSP (national selection panel) hopes that it will improve in time for the Indian tour.”
As he did last year during a tour of the United Arab Emirates, Rixon will take the reins – allowing Lehmann to focus on the Ashes, but general manager of team performance Pat Howard stressed the tour remained important.
“Darren has been on the road and away from home for a considerable amount of time. This is a great opportunity for Darren to refresh, work with the states and provide others with opportunities,” Howard said in a statement.
“This tour is very significant for the Australian cricket team as we will have the opportunity to go to number one in the ICC ODI rankings.
“This is all important as we build towards the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.”
The tour, which opens with a Twenty20 clash on October 10, will be used by the likes of Mitchell Johnson, Bailey, James Faulkner and Phil Hughes to push their case for the opening Ashes Test at the Gabba starting on November 21.
Johnson, who has not played Test cricket since Australia’s miserable 4-0 series defeat to India in March, produced some eye-catching ODI performances against England this month – prompting fast bowling great Glenn McGrath to call for his return to Tests.
Another paceman with an eye on the Ashes is NSW young gun Josh Hazlewood, who has been rested from the India tour.
“Josh is progressing well and, with the injuries to James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc, we anticipate that he will come into contention for Ashes selection with impressive domestic performances,” Inverarity said.
The news was not so promising for David Warner, dropped from the one-day portion of the Ashes series, and Matthew Wade, who scored 0, 0 and 36 in the ODIs against England, both left out due to poor form.
The experienced Brad Haddin, who has also displaced Wade from the Test team, takes his place.
“Matthew Wade has been omitted due to lack of form,” Inverarity added.
“Matthew is 25 years of age and has a great deal of natural ability both as a batsman and as a keeper.
“The (NSP) is confident that Matthew will regain form and press hard for selection in the not too distant future.”