Melbourne, Nov 15 (IANS): Australia captain Michael Clarke was Saturday ruled out of the remainder of Australia's five-match One-Day series against South Africa due to a persistent hamstring injury.

The 33-year-old batsman suffered a recurrence of the problem in Friday's 32-run victory in the first One-Day International (ODI) against the Proteas at Perth.

It is a third hamstring setback in two months for Clarke ahead of an important period of cricket with his team set to entertain India from December, followed by a tri-series also involving England and then hosting the 2015 ODI World Cup.

"Michael had scans today in Perth for his ongoing left hamstring problem and as a result has been ruled out of the remaining matches in the Carlton Mid ODI Series, Peter Brukner, Cricket Australia team doctor, said.

"Michael will return to Sydney for further treatment and an update on his fitness for the first Test in Brisbane will be made in due course."