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Reuters
ADELAIDE: Australia captain Michael Clarke returned to the crease on Wednesday after receiving pain-killing injections for a lower back injury that saw him retire hurt on the opening day of the first test against India in Adelaide.
Clarke had made 60 not out on Tuesday when he twisted to avoid a short ball from Ishant Sharma. He tried to stretch out the injury with medical staff but trudged off minutes later.
The injury put a question mark over his participation in the remainder of the four-match series as well as Clarke's ability to lead Australia into the 50-over World Cup early next year.
However, after having scans and treatment on the injury, Clarke clearly had recovered sufficiently to return to action partner Steven Smith at the crease.
Clarke was only playing after coming through a fitness test on a third hamstring strain in three months, problems which are related to his long-term degenerative back injury.
Australia physio Alex Kountouris said the skipper was struggling with "quite a significant back injury" but that he had been determined to "give it a go".
"He hasn't had anything like this for 18 months, the last time was at the Champions Trophy in England." Clarke, who has spent much of the last two weeks leading the nation in mourning for his friend and former team mate Phillip Hughes, arrived at the ground's nets early on Wednesday for a practice session.
Australia, who won the toss and elected to bat, resumed on 354 for six wickets. -Reuters
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