'There's a chance I may never play again'

Have we seen the last of Michael Clarke? The Australian skipper, who has been plagued by chronic back and hamstring problems throughout his career, admitted as much after the hosts defeated India by 48 runs in first Test here on Friday.

While ruling himself out of the remainder of the four-Test series after a tear in his right hamstring sustained while fielding on the final day, Clarke said he may never play again as the scans he had after leaving the ground weren’t “great.” 
 
“Every Test match is very important to me,” Clarke said after having watched the proceedings from the sidelines. “I've had my scans and the scans are not great.

They have certainly showed a tear there. The experts are looking at them and I can pretty confidently say that I won't take part in this Test series unfortunately and then I'll wait on the experts' advice and opinions on what I need to do to get back out on the park,” he revealed.

Clarke was asked if he will be missing the 2015 World Cup that will be played in Australia and New Zealand.

“The experts are looking at scans now and I don't know exactly how long I'm going to be out for. I think the World Cup… our first practice game is eight weeks away. I'd love to take part in the tri-series, I'd love to take part in the World Cup but I just have to wait and see.

There's no doubt there's certainly a chance (of missing the World Cup),” he said before adding: “Well, there's a chance I may never play again. I hope that's not the case and I'll be doing everything in my power to get back out on the park but I have to be realistic as well.”

It’s possible Clarke may have aggravated his injury by opting to play in the first Test through immense pain as it was an emotional issue for him following Phillip Hughes’death.

Clarke, though, said he will not regret the decision. “I have no regrets about playing this Test match, I have no regrets about going back on the field after I retired hurt,” Clarke stressed.

“I am extremely thankful that (physio) Alex Kountouris and (doctor) Peter Brukner did everything they could to give me a chance to get on the park in this Test match firstly, but then to walk out and score some runs. The rest will take care of itself. I will be guided by the experts and hopefully I'll get another opportunity to play again this summer,” said the Newsouthwelsh cricketer.
DH News Service