Melbourne, Dec 25 : Australia captain Michael Clarke put himself through a tough fitness test on Tuesday but has not decided whether he will lead his side in Wednesday's second cricket test against Sri Lanka.
Clarke suffered a hamstring injury during last week's 137-run win by Australia in the first test and has made steady improvement in recent days, including batting and fielding sessions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Christmas Day.
“It's improving every day ... but a decision can't be made today,” Clarke said. “I'm still pretty positive I'll be right for tomorrow. I haven't run at a 100 percent but I've certainly built up over the last three days.”
Batsman Usman Khawaja, who has been out of the Australia side for a year, is on standby for Clarke.
Paceman Jackson Bird will make his debut in place of injured quick Ben Hilfenhaus, while Mitchell Starc has been rested and his fellow left-armer Mitchell Johnson returns to the lineup.
