'Sore' Clarke ready for first Ashes test despite persistent back problems

Australian captain Michael Clarke is expected to be ready for the first Ashes Test despite an ongoing back problem forcing him to move with a strain during training on Sunday.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Clarke completed only a minimal amount of work at the team's first session in Nottingham and spent most of his time with physio Alex Kountouris, looking sore and stiff in his movements.

The captain had missed the entire Champions Trophy tournament in June with a degenerative back, the report said.