Clarke and Kasprowicz hit by kit theft

Michael Clarke and Michael Kasprowicz were the victims of thieves at the end of Australia's 95-run win over Leicestershire on Saturday.

Clarke had five favourite bats stolen after the case containing all his equipment was taken. A bag belonging to Kasprowicz containing shirts for the upcoming one-day series against England and Bangladesh, which carry the player's name on the back, was missing as well as distinctive yellow pads and training clothing. Kasprowicz also had some money stolen from the team hotel in Brighton last week.

Player equipment has become a popular collectors' items among cricket fans with a brisk, and often legitimate, trade carried out on various internet sites. But while the loss of a shirt is annoying, the theft of a bat, which for a top-order player such as Clarke would be designed to his specific instructions, is a more serious issue.

"Michael's case has been stolen," an Australia team spokeswoman told AFP on Sunday. "That contained his five bats, seven pairs of gloves, three pairs of spiked shoes, his yellow pads for the one-day series, two pairs of rubber-soled shoes - even his box has gone."

Australia meet England for the first time this season in a Twenty20 international at the Rose Bowl on Monday. If Clarke plays it looks like he will have to borrow equipment from his team-mates.

"We are speaking to them [Clarke's sponsors] about how quickly they can get replacements to him," the spokeswoman said. "But as for shirts, it's a public holiday in Australia tomorrow so I guess if he plays it will have to be with the wrong name.

The spokeswoman said the thefts must have taken place between the end of the match and the players getting on the coach. "We're not sure if the bags went on the coach and then went off it," she said. "There were so many people milling around and the security was quite lax. It's disappointing to think this sort of thing could stop touring teams playing at these sorts of grounds in future."