Aussie stars hit the training track in Dubai as they bid to prove their fitness for Tests against Pakistan
Clarke, Johnson show positive signs
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Michael Clarke made his first foray onto the training pitch on Australia's VB Tour of the UAE tonight with a jogging session under the watchful eye of the team's medical staff, while Mitchell Johnson continued his recovery with a centre-wicket bowling spell.
Already ruled out of the limited-overs matches against Pakistan, Clarke is targeting the four-day warm up game on October 15 as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury picked up during the tri-series in Zimbabwe in August.
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Desperate to take his place in the side for the two Test matches in three weeks’ time, Clarke warmed up with stretches before pacing laps around the boundary and short bursts of moderate jogging with team physio Alex Kountouris a constant presence in the 45-minute outfield session at Dubai's ICC Academy.
Johnson appeared in the middle raising hopes he will be fit to take his place in the side for next Tuesday's opening one-day international match in Sharjah.
Johnson had been ruled out of taking his place in the Kings XI Punjab side in the Oppo Champions League Twenty20 tournament with a rib complaint.
Australia opens their tour with a Twenty20 match against Pakistan at the nearby Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday (3am AEDT).
Post by Michael Clarke.