Clarke rested from opening round of BBL

Melbourne: Australia Test captain Michael Clarke has back soreness and will not play the opening round of the Twenty20 domestic competition this weekend.

Cricket Australia officials on Wednesday also told pace bowlers Ben Hilfenhaus and John Hastings to sit out the initial Big Bash round, while Test hopeful Josh Hazlewood won't play for a month because of a foot injury.

Clarke, who plays for the Sydney Thunder, reported lower back stiffness after the third Test loss to South Africa on Monday. Team performance general manager Pat Howard said "our medical staff have advised Michael not to play cricket this weekend."

Cricket Australia officials on Wednesday also told pace bowlers Ben Hilfenhaus and John Hastings to sit out the initial Big Bash round.

Clarke, who has degenerative discs in his lower back, is expected to be named on Thursday in Australia's squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka starting December 14 in Hobart.

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