**Australia’s Michael Clarke will miss the rest of the ICC Champions Trophy after failing to recover from a lower back problem he picked up in England.**Vice-captain Clarke, 28, sustained the injury during Australia’s 6-1 one-day series win over England in September.
Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said: "On arriving in South Africa the pain has intensified and he has not participated in any training.
“He will not be able to take any part in the remainder of this series.”
Clarke is the second Australian to depart the squad after seamer Nathan Bracken was ruled out last week with a knee injury - Doug Bollinger was drafted in as replacement.
Clarke topped the Test batting averages for Australia in their 2-1 Ashes defeat by England this summer, scoring 448 runs at 64.0 in eight innings.
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“Brad Hodge would be the best replacement, but they’ll probably pick David Hussey”
Steve_Ireland
He followed that with three half centuries as he hit 253 runs in six innings in the one-day series.
However, he missed Australia’s 50-run victory over West Indies in Saturday’s Champion’s Trophy opener and Monday’s abandoned game against India with the injury and will now return home.
Selectors are expected to name Clarke’s replacement shortly, subject to approval from the ICC.
Australia play Pakistan in their final group match on Wednesday and need one point to reach the semi-finals.