Clarke set for comeback from injury

Michael Clarke, the Australian captain, is poised to make a comeback from a back injury and lead New South Wales in their Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania, which starts on Wednesday in Sydney.

A team spokesman said Clarke, who was ruled out of Australia's ongoing ODI series against India with a longstanding back problem, will be subject to a fitness review before he can be made available for the game.

Clarke had wondered aloud whether he would miss the first Ashes Test against England that begins on November 21, but after intensive treatment for a degenerative disc condition, which has been an issue since he was a teenager, his prognosis has been good.

"Michael is progressing well and recently recommenced batting in the nets," Alex Kountouris, the Australian team physiotherapist, had said in a statement last week.

Clarke's back problem had flared up before Australia's final ODI against England in Southampton last month, at the end of an Ashes tour, which Australia lost 3-0.

He played in that game, but selectors were reluctant to take any more risks ahead of the home Ashes series, and ruled him out of the India tour.