Michael Clarke limps off, taken to hospital for scans

ADELAIDE: Australia were today left to deal with a massive injury scare to inspirational skipper Michael Clarke, who was taken to hospital for scans after limping off the field due to a hamstring strain on the fifth day of the ongoing first cricket Test against India.

Clarke, who is also battling back spasms, went down in the 44th over of India's second innings clutching his right hamstring. Clarke was taken to hospital for scans after that.

The 33-year-old has been an exemplary leader in the match at a time when the team had been left shattered by the death of batsman Phillip Hughes after being hit by a bouncer late last month.

He battled through back pain to score a hundred in the first innings but if his hamstring injury turns out to be serious, his further participation in the four-match series could be jeopardised.