<p>Australian captain Michael Clarke has admitted he may not be fit for the first Ashes Test against England next month, with his long-standing back problem needing extended treatment and rest.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Clarke was ruled out of Australia’s one-day tour of India this month and while desperate to be ready for the first Ashes Test in Brisbane on November 21, the star batsman is pragmatic.<br />“Where I sit right now is I don’t know when I’ll be back playing cricket,” he said. “We have no idea how long it’s going to take.<br /><br />“There’s certainly no guarantee (for the first Test) at this stage. It’s hard for me to say that because I’m trying my best not to look at it like that.<br /><br />“I’m always positive and if they ask me, I’ll say I’ll be fit in a week’s time. But you ask Alex (Kountouris, team physio) who knows me very well, and he’d say there’d be doubt I won’t be right.”<br /><br />Clarke has been plagued by back problems for years.</p>
<p>Australian captain Michael Clarke has admitted he may not be fit for the first Ashes Test against England next month, with his long-standing back problem needing extended treatment and rest.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Clarke was ruled out of Australia’s one-day tour of India this month and while desperate to be ready for the first Ashes Test in Brisbane on November 21, the star batsman is pragmatic.<br />“Where I sit right now is I don’t know when I’ll be back playing cricket,” he said. “We have no idea how long it’s going to take.<br /><br />“There’s certainly no guarantee (for the first Test) at this stage. It’s hard for me to say that because I’m trying my best not to look at it like that.<br /><br />“I’m always positive and if they ask me, I’ll say I’ll be fit in a week’s time. But you ask Alex (Kountouris, team physio) who knows me very well, and he’d say there’d be doubt I won’t be right.”<br /><br />Clarke has been plagued by back problems for years.</p>