Australia's ongoing concerns about the fitness of captain Michael Clarke saw them add Steve Smith to their tour squad on Sunday for the Ashes Test series in England. Star batsman Clarke's longstanding back problem means he hasn't played a competitive match since an ill-fated tour of India in March where Australia lost a Test series 4-0.
Clarke did not feature at all in the title-holders group stage exit from the Champions Trophy, won by India in a dramatic five-run victory over England in a rain-affected final at Edgbaston on Sunday. Smith will join the 16-man squad on Monday, ahead of Australia's first-class tour opener against Somerset this week, and remain until at least the second Test at Lord's. But while his hopes of playing in the Ashes increased, those of Fawad Ahmed receded after it was revealed the Pakistan-born leg-spinner would return from the UK to Australia on Monday in order to complete his citizenship.
Comments
Comments are closed.