30 Sep 2009

Aussie vice captain pulls out of Champions Trophy

11:18 am on 30 September 2009

A nagging back injury has forced the Australia cricket team's vice-captain Michael Clarke to quit the Champions Trophy in South Africa and return home for treatment.

Clarke has been troubled by pain in his lower back since the recent one-day series in England and he's been advised to take an immediate break.

Australia play Pakistan in their final Champions Trophy group match on Friday night needing a win to be sure of a place in the semi-finals.