Clarke won’t let the team down: Boon

Former Test batsman David Boon believes injured Australia captain Michael Clarke won't make himself available for the ICC Cricket World Cup unless he's fully fit to play.

Clarke is in a race against time to recover from hamstring surgery ahead of Australia's second match of the tournament against Bangladesh in Brisbane on February 21.

The deadline was confirmed by Cricket Australia when the 15-man World Cup squad was unveiled earlier this month, with National Selector Rod Marsh saying CA doesn't want the fitness of Clarke or any player to be a distraction during the tournament.

Clarke, who underwent surgery on his right hamstring tendon on December 16, is determined to prove his fitness and has been working diligently on his rehabilitation program since he went under the knife.

While Clarke is determined to lead the side at cricket's showpiece event, Boon says the 33-year-old will put the team first and step aside if he determines that he hasn't recovered sufficiently in time.

"It's difficult for me to comment not being on the inside or with Australian cricket anymore," Boon told SEN radio.

"The Australian selectors have decided that they will keep him in that 15-man squad. They're obviously hoping that he will be fit and they've set a date for that.

"Because if he's not fit, they're probably going to have to make an application to the ICC Technical Committee to replace him, that he won't be able to play in the tournament and the Doctor is going to have to say that.

"In saying that, I think my knowledge of Michael as a person, I think if he doesn't think he's fit he won't get there.

"He won't just go and play because of it, he won't let the team down or himself."

Clarke continued his rehab program at a rain-soaked Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday, running laps at a good pace ahead of Australia's match against India, which was washed out.

Clarke trains at the SCG

The skipper is ahead of schedule with his recovery and batted and bowled in the SCG nets this week.

If Clarke is declared fit for the match against Bangladesh, selectors face the tough task of trying to squeeze him into a side that has lost just five of its past 20 matches.

Just how Clarke, stand-in skipper George Bailey and the prolific Steve Smith fit into a middle-order that could also include allrounders Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh has been a subject of much debate leading into the World Cup.

Bailey, who stepped in as captain in place of the injured Clarke for all but three of Australia's 18 ODIs in the past 12 months, averaged 25.37 with the bat last year, a drop from his extraordinary 2013 performances that yielded two centuries, eight fifties and an average of 64.58.

Injury has restricted Clarke to just 15 ODIs in the past two years, scoring a century and two fifties in that period at an average of 41.36.

Speaking on Sunday, the Tasmanian acknowledged the best way to improve his chances of being retained in the XI when Clarke returns is to find form.

“If I’m not scoring runs, and they pick (Clarke), then that’s fine,” Bailey said.

“That’s the nature of the game. You’re scoring runs or you’re not scoring runs. You get picked or you don’t. It’s a really basic equation.

“If Pup’s there, one of the batsmen makes way.

“Whether that’s me or someone else, that’s how it is. 

“I’ll keep saying it, when anyone talks about our chances in the World Cup and the strength of Australia’s one-day team at the moment is that squad mentality, whether it’s in the XI or in the 15, everyone will play a role.

“I’m very, very comfortable with it.”

Bailey speaks about Clarke's return

Australia’s World Cup Fixtures

February 14: v England, 2:30pm at the MCG

February 21: v Bangladesh, 1:30pm at the Gabba

February 28: v New Zealand, 2:00pm at Eden Park (NZ)

March 4: v Afghanistan, 2:30pm at the WACA

March 8: v Sri Lanka, 2:30pm at the SCG

March 13: v Scotland, 2:30pm at Blundstone Arena

View the full fixture list here

#CmonAussie

Remember, you can also support Australia on the road to the World Cup by either tweeting @CricketAus the hashtag #CmonAussie or visiting this page to get your digital autograph from Clarke and go on to purchase your very own personalised World Cup top.

Get your 'digigraph' here