TALENTED Pears wicketkeeper-batsman Joe Clarke is on track to be fit for the second leg of the England Lions winter programme this month.
The youngster suffered a quad injury during training after the first of five T20 matches against Pakistan ‘A’ in Dubai and missed the remainder of the series.
The Lions flew out to the UAE this week to play five 50-over games against Pakistan ‘A’.
“The injury was frustrating but you have to put things in perspective. It is probably the only blip I’ve had in my short career,” Clarke said.
“We did some sprint work and I just felt it go. It is not really a massive blip. I tried to work hard to get it fit for the last two T20 games.
“But we sat down and said it wasn’t worth the risk of trying to push it for those and then not be fit for the stuff after Christmas.
“We wanted to make sure it was fit for the 50-over games, which I was really pleased to get selected for and am really looking forward to taking part in.
“I’ve been doing quite a lot of rehab to get it ready for when we go away again. Ben Davies (Worcestershire CCC first team physio) is happy with my progress,” he added.