<p>Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke today said he was confident his troublesome back would not prevent him from leading Australia in the two Ashes series against England this year.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Clarke has managed the back problem since he was first diagnosed with a degenerative condition aged 17, but it forced him out of the fourth Test against India in March when the tourists went down 4-0.<br /><br />The 32-year-old, who struggled with a hamstring injury through the Australian summer, underlined the importance of his preparations with the Champions Trophy looming next month.<br /><br />"I'm confident it will be no different to how it has been throughout my career," Clarke told reporters.<br /><br />"I've managed to play 90-odd Test matches and only missed one through my career so that's a big part of why preparation is so important for me.<br /><br />"I need to make sure I'm fit. I need to make sure I'm not carrying too much weight. I need to make sure I'm putting in the work to be fit in eight months or 12 months time.<br />"I'm really confident that with the work I've been doing that I will be."<br /><br />Clarke had been due to take up the captaincy of Pune Warriors for the lucrative Indian Premier League in April-May, but stayed at home for intensive rehabilitation on his back and hamstring.<br /><br />Australia play five Tests against England, starting at Nottingham's Trent Bridge ground on July 10. The Ashes saga resumes in November in Australia over five Tests.</p>
<p>Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke today said he was confident his troublesome back would not prevent him from leading Australia in the two Ashes series against England this year.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Clarke has managed the back problem since he was first diagnosed with a degenerative condition aged 17, but it forced him out of the fourth Test against India in March when the tourists went down 4-0.<br /><br />The 32-year-old, who struggled with a hamstring injury through the Australian summer, underlined the importance of his preparations with the Champions Trophy looming next month.<br /><br />"I'm confident it will be no different to how it has been throughout my career," Clarke told reporters.<br /><br />"I've managed to play 90-odd Test matches and only missed one through my career so that's a big part of why preparation is so important for me.<br /><br />"I need to make sure I'm fit. I need to make sure I'm not carrying too much weight. I need to make sure I'm putting in the work to be fit in eight months or 12 months time.<br />"I'm really confident that with the work I've been doing that I will be."<br /><br />Clarke had been due to take up the captaincy of Pune Warriors for the lucrative Indian Premier League in April-May, but stayed at home for intensive rehabilitation on his back and hamstring.<br /><br />Australia play five Tests against England, starting at Nottingham's Trent Bridge ground on July 10. The Ashes saga resumes in November in Australia over five Tests.</p>