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Michael Clarke has flagged the possibility he may never play cricket again, raising fears his glittering career could come to a premature end after his injury woes worsened in Adelaide on Saturday.
Nursing a fresh injury to his right hamstring to go with a dodgy left hamstring and a "significant" back problem, an emotional Clarke said it was time to "have a good hard think" about his playing future.
Painful moment: Michael Clarke injures his hamstring at Adelaide Oval. Photo: AP
There have been suspicions Clarke's long injury history could result in an early retirement though few would have thought it could come so soon. Clarke's latest injury blow comes just four days after he hurt his back while batting in Australia's first innings. It is the eighth hamstring tear of his career and the fourth in less than four months.
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Despite the possible ramifications it could have on his career, Clarke has no regrets about playing in Australia's first match since the tragic death of his "little brother" Phillip Hughes. The Australian captain hobbled off the field about 40 minutes after lunch holding his right hamstring and scans later confirmed he would not play any further part in the series against India. His availability for the World Cup, starting February 14, is also in doubt.
Clarke dropped the bombshell on his future after Australia claimed eight wickets in just over 18 overs in the final session to record a stirring and nerve jangling 48-run victory over India in the first Test.
"There's no doubt there's certainly a chance, well there's a chance I may never play again," Clarke said. "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.
"I think my body in general there's always that risk. This is a different hamstring, I did my left hamstring, I've done my right side of my back, I've just done my right hammy.
"I've got injury concerns at the moment, now I've got to go back and do what the experts tell me to give myself my best chance of being fully fit. But I think I have to be honest with myself and have a good hard think about things, definitely." The seemingly innocuous circumstances in which he is breaking down will be a concern to Clarke and Cricket Australia's medical staff.
In Perth last month, he tweaked his left hamstring setting off for a run. He suffered back spasms on Tuesday after twisting slightly while evading a bouncer from Ishant Sharma. This time, his right hamstring gave way fielding a ground ball, pulling up immediately after the damage was done.
Even with his future now uncertain, Clarke stressed he had no regrets about not only playing, but returning to action after his back flare-up on the first day. "One hundred per cent. I don't have one regret. This is the most important Test match of my career," Clarke said. "I wouldn't change a thing."
Clarke said once he had declared himself fit, he was obliged to "do whatever it takes to finish that game".
"I have no regrets about playing this Test match, I have no regrets about going back on the field after I retired hurt," Clarke said.
"I am extremely thankful Alex Kountouris and Dr Peter Brukner did everything they could to give me a chance to get on the park in this Test firstly, but then to walk out and score some runs. Every Test is very important to me. I've had my scans, the scans are not great, they have certainly shown 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."Â
The Australians will know they are in a contest for the rest of the series and will tempted to freshen up their attack by adding the towering Josh Hazelwood at the Gabba.Â
Peter Siddle bowled only nine overs in the second innings and while he was inconvenienced by illness in the first, he was the least threatening of the local seamers.