Michael Clarke's availability for first Test against India still uncertain

Michael Clarke

Following the emotional farewell to Phillip Hughes on Wednesday, the Australian team minus Michael Clarke had their first training session in Adelaide on Friday. The 33-year-old was due to fly in from Sydney to join his rest of his teammates later in the afternoon.

Prior to the death of his dear friend Hughes, Clarke was in serious doubt to feature in the originally scheduled first Test at the Gabba on December 4, but he eventually got some more time to recover from his hamstring injury. Since Australia’s series against Pakistan in the UAE in November, Clarke has played only one international game, against South Africa at Perth.

There is no doubt that the right-hander would love to lead the side against India in the first Test starting on Tuesday, but his fitness remains a major question mark ahead of the start of the series.

Coach Darren Lehmann told the media on Thursday that as long as Clarke is fit enough to run between the wickets and is in a position to bat, he will play the opening Test.

"As long as he's fine to do the running and can bat [he'll play].He flies in this afternoon. We'll get him batting tomorrow and see how he goes. It'll be a case of if he's fine, he'll play. We'll just have to wait and see. We'll be guided by medical staff, the captain himself, selectors. We'll get together and assess what the plan is tomorrow," the 44-year-old said.

‘Pup’ is a mentally strong person: Lehmann

Clarke gave an emotional speech during Hughes’ funeral, calling him his “little brother”. He had also been a strong pillar of support to Hughes’ family while they were going through an extremely traumatic time.

But the former left-hander said that Clarke is a mentally strong person and expects him to take the field against India if declared fit.

"He's pretty mentally strong, as you saw throughout the week. He held himself together really well and led the team really well," Lehmann said.