Australia captain Michael Clarke has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy group match against England with a lower back injury, Cricket Australia has confirmed.

Clarke was absent from the warm-up games against West Indies and India and his continued fitness concerns will be a worry ahead of the start of the Ashes series.

That could mean Hampshire overseas star George Baley, who captained Australia in their warm-up thrashing agagainst India earlier this week, taking charge again for tomorrow's tournament opener against England.

Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said: "Michael is making steady progress in his recovery from the recent lower back injury but is yet to return to training.

"He will remain in London over the coming days to continue his rehabilitation and will not be available for the first match against England on Saturday.

"How he responds to the ongoing treatment will determine his availability for the match against New Zealand next Wednesday."