Clock ticking on Clarke's back injury

Michael Clarke hopes he has until the morning of Thursday's first Test against South Africa to prove he is ready after struggling to recover from a nagging back injury. Clarke hasn't played since the fourth ODI against New Zealand on February 10, but was wanting a couple of strong training sessions in the lead-up to the game in Johannesburg.

"It's certainly improving and I'm confident I'll pull up all right for the Test," Clarke said in the Sydney Morning Herald. "Any time you're not playing in the games, like the one we had last weekend, or any time you're not able to train 100%, there's a few little nerves there about if you're going to be OK."

Clarke has been dealing with problems in his back since he was 14. "It's not like I'm not used to it," Clarke said. "I know I have to do a lot of strength work, core work, rehab, swimming, stretching. I know my body well enough now to know exactly what I have to do to stay on the park. This injury is completely different to what I've had in the past, which is why we're going so slow and steady with it."

However, Clarke is "not too concerned" and wants to ensure it doesn't flare up in the future. He hoped he would have until the morning of the game to show he was ready. "The last few days have been pretty good," he said. "The physio's been happy with how I've improved gradually every day."