Australia Test Team Leave for South Africa

Sydney: Australia's Test team left for its South African cricket tour Wednesday with captain Michael Clarke concerned over two players forced to remain behind to receive treatment on their injuries.

While fast bowler James Faulkner was ruled out of the tour on Tuesday with a right knee injury, Shaun Marsh (calf soreness) and Jackson Bird (back) will have to prove their fitness before making the trip.

"I'd like them to be on this plane now but that's not realistic," Clarke said at Sydney airport.

Both would likely need to leave Australia by the weekend if they want to take part in Australia's one warm-up match from Feb. 5-8 at Potchefstroom.

The first Test at Centurion begins Feb. 12. The second Test will be played beginning Feb. 20 in Port Elizabeth and the third from March 1 in Cape Town, followed by three Twenty20 matches.

Bird bowled well in the nets on Tuesday and will be passed fit if he has another positive session. Marsh's calf muscle strain is said to be minor, but medical staff are treating the injury with caution because he has had similar injuries before.

Clarke said Australia, which completed a 5-0 Ashes sweep and a 4-1 win in the one-day international series against England, needs to back that up against the world's No. 1 Test team in South Africa.

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

All-round Australia Seal T20 Series 2-0 [+]

Australia outlined its World Twenty20 credentials as it chased down South Africa's target in just 15 overs to win the third and final T20 international by six wickets.

Blazing Hodge Leads Aussies to Victory [+]

Brad Hodge smashed two sixes in the final over to propel Australia to a 5-wicket win over South Africa in 2nd T20 international reduced to seven overs a side.

Heavy Rain Forces Abandoned 1st T20 [+]

The first Twenty20 international between South Africa and Australia at St George's Park was abandoned because of rain without a ball bowled on Sunday.

South Africa, Australia Prepare for World Twenty20 [+]

South Africa and Australia will be aiming to hone their Twenty20 international skills when they start a three-match series at St George's Park on Sunday.

Abbott Called for Australia T20s [+]

Kyle Abbott has reportedly been included in his team's Twenty20 squad to play against Australia in the three-match T20 International series starting at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.

Johnson Return Home, Miss T20s Against South Africa [+]

Cricket Australia's national selection panel Thursday said Mitchell Johnson will return home to rest ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 in Bangladesh and will not take part in the Twenty20 Series against South Africa beginning Sunday.

Warner Jumps to 5th in Test Rankings [+]

David Warner jumped to a career-best 5th spot after his batting exploits in his side's Test series victory against South Africa while Virat Kohli slipped to 10th.

Australia Move to 2nd Spot in Test [+]

Australia replaced India at number two position in the Test team rankings by the virtue of their 245-run victory over South Africa in the third and final Test.

Harris Win Thrilling Decider for Aussies [+]

Australia have defeated South Africa by 245 runs in the Test series decider in Cape Town, taking the series 2-1.

AB de Villiers Fight But Australia Eye Series Win [+]

Graeme Smith was out for three in his last Test innings as South Africa struggled to 71 for four while chasing 511 to win on the fourth day of the third and final Test on Tuesday.