Cricket Buzz: Captain Clarke set to miss more matches

Australia captain Michael Clarke, sidelined with a hamstring injury, may not be fit until the ‘back end’ of the triangular One-day tournament with Zimbabwe and South Africa, according to stand-in skipper George Bailey.

Clarke injured his hamstring at training in Harare and was scratched from Monday's series-opener against Zimbabwe, which Australia won by 198 runs.

"It happens a little bit too often," Bailey said at the toss, referring to standing in for Clarke.

"Hopefully 'Pup' will be right for the back end of this series. Rest up for the first couple and then get himself right."

Australia play South Africa in Harare on Wednesday, with further matches next week before the final on Sept. 6.

Australia are likely to be very cautious about rushing Clarke back, with a two-test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates to follow in October.

Next: ‘I'm not going to apologise’

The team's performance without their top batsman will also have buoyed selectors, along with the straight hitting of paceman Mitchell Johnson, who blasted a six into the television commentary box window.

The shot showered Neil Manthorp and colleague Pommie Mbangwa with shards of glass.

The pair were uninjured and left-armer Johnson, who bowled Australia to Test series wins over England and South Africa earlier this year, was not apologising beyond a sheepish smile and a raise of his hand when surveying the damage from out in the middle.

"I didn't see it shatter, I just saw some of the commentators brushing away a bit of glass, so it was a good thing it didn't shatter everywhere and the ball didn't go through," he said in comments published on Cricket Australia's website on Tuesday.

"It's something I've been working on, trying to hit straighter.

"I've been trying to hit as straight as possible instead of hitting across the line.

"So I'm not going to apologise, but hopefully I didn't hurt anyone up there."

Next: Ramdin, Bravo bully Bangladesh

Denesh Ramdin and Darren Bravo both scored centuries in a record-breaking third wicket partnership as West Indies crushed Bangladesh in Basseterre, Saint Kitts, on Monday to wrap-up a 3-0 One-day series win.

The pair put on 258, a record for a third wicket partnership in a one day international (ODI), and the joint eighth highest one day partnership of any kind.

West Indies made 338 for seven in their 50 overs with Bangladesh finishing on 247 for eight.

The hosts made a shaky start to be reduced to 12 for two when openers Lendl Simmons and Chris Gayle were both dismissed for six but that gave skipper Ramdin and Bravo more time at the crease.

Ramdin, who has been in fine form in the One-day game since taking over from Darren Sammy as captain, struck 169 from 121 balls, including 11 sixes and eight fours.

Ramdin's score was the joint third highest total made by a West Indies batsman in a one day international, equalling Brian Lara's 169 against Sri Lanka in 1995.

The record ODI score for a West Indian remains Vivian Richards' 189 against England at Old Trafford in 1984.

Left-hander Bravo, who should have been stumped when he was on 10, hit eight sixes of his own in his 124 from 127 balls.

Bangladesh seamer Al-Amin Hossain, who finally got rid off Ramdin, finished with 4-59.

A target run-rate of over 6.7 runs an over never looked realistic for the tourists, who had been bowled out for 70 in the second game of the series and they were quickly in trouble at two for two.

Kemar Roach pulled off a stunning one-handed catch to remove Imrul Kayes off Ravi Rampaul, who ended with figures of 4-29.

Although Bangladesh ended 91 runs short there were creditable scores of 55 for opener Tamim Iqbal and a patient 72 from skipper Mushfiqur Rahim.