Michael Clarke Could Come Back Against Eng Series

Australian captain Michael Clarke could return from injury as early as next week in a major boost on the eve of arch-rival England's arrival for the Ashes series.

The Australian batsman was ruled out of Australia one-day tour of India(October) this month with a long-standing back problem, and feared he could miss the first Test against England starting on November 21.

But after serious treatment on a degenerative disc problem, which has been an issue since he was a teenager, the prognosis is good. Michael is progressing well and in recent recommenced batting in the nets, Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said.

At this stage we are aiming to have him fit to play the second round of the Sheffield Shield, but we have not ruled out the option of him playing the first round of the Shield season if he makes better than expected progress. Michael Clarke state side New South Wales start their Shield season at home on October 30 against Tasmania, and then play Victoria in Melbourne from November 6.

Michael Clarke is back problem flared up again before Australia final ODI in Southampton last month at the end of a grueling 5-Test Ashes tour to England, which Australia lost 3-0.He played in that game, but selectors were reluctant to take any more risks given the big home summer coming up, and ruled out him out of the India tour.

South Africa to think quotas for black cricket players

South African cricket officials are set to consider a proposal forcing professional franchises to include at least 2 black Africans in all team. Another item expected to be discussed at an October 11 Cricket South Africa meeting will be the need for second-tier, semi-professional provincial sides to select 3 black Africans.

South Africa Cricket have not commented officially on the proposals, but an official who attended new transformation talks told AFP both issues would be debate. While the 6 top-tier franchises have picked numerous mixed-race or Asian-origin cricketers in recent seasons, there has been a dearth of black Africans on view.

Fast bowler Makhaya Ntini carried the black African banner in the Test, one-day international and Twenty20 teams for many seasons.

Since Ntini retired 2 years ago, black African fast-medium bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe has been in and out of Proteas teams in various formats. Faced with constant criticism for not picking black Africans, national selector’s convener Andrew Hudson has pointed to a shortage of stars from that race group.