Australia in crisis

Australia in crisis: 65 all out and captain Michael Clarke missing with a back injury

With the Champions Trophy about to start and the Ashes to follow, Australia's tour to England took a horrible early twist

England have suffered some deeply embarrassing starts to tours of Australia, but nothing so ignominious as being dismissed for 65, asAustralia were in Tuesday’s Champions Trophy warm-up match against India.

Australia lost by 243 runs in their last outing before their opening match in the tournament, against England on Saturday at Edgbaston.

And they might have lost their captain too, as Michael Clarke missed both of Australia’s warm-up games and will see a specialist in London today about his enduring back problem.

A spokesman said that Clarke had aggravated his lower back, which has troubled him since the age of 17, on the team’s flight from Australia.

Clarke’s replacement as captain, George Bailey, 30, put a brave face on the defeat and the potentially far more serious loss of their leader.