Clarke must prove his fitness for India tour

Australia captain Michael Clarke could miss next month’s seven-match one-day tour of India after he was selected “subject to fitness”.

Clarke (above) was named in a 14-man squad that does not include Pakistan-born leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed or keeper Matthew Wade.

Ahmed made his international debut during the recent series against England — just two months after his citizenship was fast tracked — but is replaced by Xavier Doherty.

Wade misses out due to “a lack of form” with veteran Brad Haddin preferred behind the stumps.

Clarke, 32, is due to have scans on his chronic back problem which sidelined him at the beginning and the end of this summer’s Ashes tour.

“After a long tour Michael’s back condition has flared up again and he has been selected subject to fitness,” said selector John Inverarity. “He has returned to Australia for further assessment and we hope that it will improve in time for the Indian tour.”

Inverarity said Doherty had been brought back because he is “well suited to ODIs in India” and that the door was left open for Ahmed’s recall for this winter’s Ashes series.

“Fawad bowled well with his limited opportunities in the rain-affected series and better than his figures would suggest,” said Inverarity.

Josh Hazlewood has been replaced by Moises Henriques after the selectors elected to keep the 22-year-old paceman in cotton wool ahead of the Ashes.

“Josh is progressing well and with the injuries to James Pattinson and Mitchell Starc we anticipate that he will come into contention for Ashes selection with impressive domestic performances,” added Inverarity.