Clarke named captain for India series but fitness a concern

Hoping that he will recover from his back problem in time, Australia today named Michael Clarke as captain for the One-day series against India but made it clear that his selection in the playing XI would be subject to fitness.
Australia, who beat Ashes rival England 3-2 in a recent ODI series, will play seven one-dayers during the tour, beginning October 10 with a one-off Twenty20 in Rajkot.
Clarke, on his part, remained confident of getting fit for the series.
"No doubt it's quite stiff and sore. But I'll be guided by the experts on what I need to do now to try and get myself as fit as I can be," Clarke told reporters in Sydney.

"I would certainly like to go and continue to play. I'm enjoying my cricket at the moment."
Australia named a 14-man squad, dropping an out-of-form Mathew Wade, paceman Josh Hazlewood and spinner Fawad Ahmed.

Ahmed, a cricketer of Pakistani origins, made his Australia debut after getting citizenship recently. He has been dropped in favour of Xavier Doherty, who the selectors feel is better suited to the Indian conditions.
The selectors also chose to ignore injured batsman Shaun Marsh.
Brad Haddin, who captured an Ashes series record of dismissals during the England tour, will be the lone stumper in the side.

"After a long tour Michael Clarke's back condition has flared up again and he has been selected subject to fitness. He has returned to Australia for further assessment and the NSP hopes that it will improve in time for the Indian tour," National Selection Committee chief John Inverarity said.
"There will be a reduced need for pace bowling on this tour so the NSP has reduced the squad from 15 to 14 players," he added.