Hodge to replace Clarke temporarily for West Indies tour

Michael Clarke, the Australian vice-captain, will not leave with his teammates on Saturday for the West Indies tour due to family reasons, according to Cricket Australia (CA) officials.

Clarke has received leave from CA to stay back in Sydney due to private family concerns and his arrival date in the Caribbean is not clear as of now. In his absence, Michael Hussey will take on the responsibility of the vice-captain.

Hussey, who recently played for the Chennai Super Kings in the DLF Indian Premier League (IPL), considers the role of vice-captain a huge honour though he will carry out the task only till Clarke’s arrival.

Meanwhile, CA has chosen Brad Hodge as a temporary replacement for Clarke in the team. Hodge is currently offering his services to the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise in the ongoing IPL.

Australia’s Caribbean tour is scheduled to start on May 16. The first Test will be played from May 22 in Jamaica whereas the second and the third Tests will be organized in Antigua and Barbados. The tour will also include one Twenty20 game and five one-day internationals.