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Clarke ruled out of ODI series

Coach Darren Lehmann discusses skipper's latest setback

Darren Lehmann is confident Brad Haddin will be fit should he be required to take on the captaincy duties, pending necessary board approval, in the first Commonwealth Bank Test against India.

Haddin, the Australian Test team's vice captain, is recovering from a shoulder injury but could lead the team if skipper Michael Clarke was ruled out due to a hamstring injury.

And while Lehmann is adamant his team can win the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup without Clarke, he's desperately hoping the skipper will be fit for the showpiece event.

Clarke re-injured his troublesome left hamstring while batting during Friday's Carlton Mid ODI win over South Africa in Perth.

"Michael had scans today in Perth for his ongoing left hamstring problem and as a result  has been ruled out of the remaining matches in the Carlton Mid ODI Series," Cricket Australia Team Doctor, Peter Brukner, said.

"Michael will return to Sydney for further treatment and an update on his fitness for the first Test in Brisbane will be made in due course."

Quick Single: Clarke's hamstring troubles return

The 33-year-old has injured his hamstring three times since August, raising concerns about his playing prospects this summer and beyond.

Clarke now faces a race against time to be fit for the first Test against India in Brisbane, starting on December 4.

The 107-Test veteran will consult with specialists in Melbourne and Sydney over the coming days.

If Clarke's injury woes mean he's unavailable for the World Cup, it would be a huge blow for Australia but not an insurmountable one, according to Lehmann.

"It's never easy when you're losing one of your best players, but that's part and parcel of sport these days," Lehmann said on Saturday.

"Players have got to be adaptable.

"We'd love him there.

"But you can (still) win every game you play (without him).

"With the 11 that go on the field, we have full faith in winning each and every game."

Allrounder Steve Smith will replace Clarke for Sunday's one-dayer against South Africa at the WACA Ground, with George Bailey to captain the side.

Paceman Mitchell Johnson backed Bailey's ability to fill in for Clarke - even if it happens to stretch to the World Cup.

"George has done really well as a one-day captain, so he's as prepared as he can be if that happens," Johnson said.

"He quite enjoys it and we back him 100 per cent."

Lehmann said Clarke's priority was getting to the bottom of his issues.

"It's a concern for Michael," Lehmann said.

"He's frustrated, as you would be. But he's in good spirits trying to get it right."

Given Clarke's history of chronic back issues and hamstring problems, there have been calls for the classy right-hander to give up 50-over cricket in order to prolong his Test career.

Lehmann said that decision would be left completely to Clarke.