Aussie skipper will play against Scotland, and admits he's one of three batsmen that need more time in the middle
Clarke fit, but needs a hit
Michael Clarke insists he's 100 per cent fit, but could do with some more time at the crease as Australia near the Cricket World Cup finals.
Spotted walking while the rest of the squad ran during training at Blundstone Arena on Thursday, speculation began about whether the Aussie skipper was continuing to struggle following his hamstring surgery.
"I certainly am (fit)," Clarke reassured reporters in Hobart on Friday.
"It was more just part of my recovery.
"Since coming back from my hamstring surgery we've looked at my schedule going forward ... and (Thursday) was another opportunity to make sure I recover as well as I can, not only for this game but for the quarter-final."
Clarke said he needed to spend some time batting ahead of Australia's March 20 quarter-final, and hoped to get the opportunity during Saturday's last Pool A match against Scotland.
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Clarke (R) with Bupa Support Team physio Alex Kountouris // Getty Images
He indicated there would likely be a shuffle of the batting order that faced Sri Lanka on Sunday, but didn't say where he would be placed.
"I will have a think about it overnight," Clarke said.
"Obviously I need another hit."
He also named allrounders Shane Watson and James Faulkner as others needing more time with the bat ahead of the tournament's knockout stage.
With a tour of the West Indies and the Ashes in England scheduled for mid-2015, Clarke gave a brief insight into his plans post-World Cup.
"I hope we're celebrating a World Cup victory, so I'll probably give myself a little bit of time off," he said.
"But I'll probably spend a good two to three weeks at the (National Cricket Centre) continuing my strength program, working on my cricket in the lead up to the West Indies."
Asked again if he has felt any recent soreness, Clarke answered: "I've been 100 per cent fine".