Clarke to return in grade cricket

Michael Clarke’s mission to lead Australia into their home ICC Cricket World Cup campaign will pass a significant milestone when the national captain makes a qualified but earlier-than-expected return to competitive cricket.

Cricket Australia has confirmed reports in News Corp Australia newspapers today that Clarke is expected to play as a batsman - but not field - for his Sydney grade club Western Suburbs in this weekend’s two-day match against Gordon at Chatswood Oval.

"Should Michael come through that match without any adverse reaction, he will then continue his rehabilitation at the Bupa National Cricket Centre in Brisbane before playing for a Cricket Australia XI against the Bangladesh ICC Cricket World Cup squad in a match at Allan Border Field on Thursday 5 February,” CA said in a statement this morning.

"The intention is that Michael will play the match against the Bangladesh XI as a batsman and in a limited fielding capacity."

The fact that Clarke will be playing, albeit in a limited capacity, heightens expectation that he will meet the February 21 fitness deadline imposed by National Selection Panel chair Rod Marsh when Clarke was named in Australia’s 15-man World Cup squad earlier this month.

The 33-year-old has been working relentlessly to prove his fitness after undergoing surgery to repair his damaged right hamstring in mid-December and he now appears to be well in advance of his scheduled rehabilitation program.

Clarke trains at the SCG on Australia Day

Initially, it was thought he would require at least 10 weeks to fully recover from the surgery that saw the re-stitching right hamstring tendon that he ripped while fielding in the first Commonwealth Bank Test against India in Adelaide.

But the fact that he will return to the playing field less than seven weeks after leaving hospital suggests he is well on track to meet the selectors’ criteria of being able to bat, bowl and run in the field without any restriction in time for Australia’s second World Cup match on February 21.

Clarke said today he remains cautiously confident about the pace that his rehabilitation is progressing in light of his recent history which has seen him suffer four injuries to his left and right hamstrings in the past six months.

"I am really happy to be playing for my Grade club this weekend and regard this as a positive step on my road to a return to full fitness," Clarke said in the statement

"It is exciting to be at this stage where I can consider walking onto a cricket field again and so, thanks to the guidance of the Cricket Australia medical staff and with the work I have put in, the signs are positive.

"But at the same time I know I have to respect the fact that I am on a daily programme and there is no point in us getting too far ahead of ourselves. 

"I know I need to take things one step and one day at a time and so, for now, all I am doing is focusing on things day by day and with a belief in a positive outcome."

Australia's Bupa Support Team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris, who has worked closely with Clarke during the current Carlton Mid ODI Series in which Clarke has been travelling with the one-day squad, stressed that Clarke's comeback was not being rushed.

Clarke returns to the nets in Sydney

He added that even though Clarke will be back and playing well ahead of schedule, the second World Cup match – against Bangladesh in Brisbane on February 21 – remains the goal for the skipper to return to the international arena.

"Michael is making good progress following his injury and the subsequent surgery six weeks ago, and the fixture in Sydney this weekend when he will play only as a batsman, and next week's match in Brisbane, where he will play as a batsman with a limited fielding role, are all part of a gradual return to competitive action," Kountouris said.

"We are determined to maintain a conservative approach to the management of Michael’s recovery but should he come through these matches without any adverse reaction, he remains on target to return as per our original schedule, for the second match of Australia’s ICC Cricket World Cup campaign, against Bangladesh in Brisbane on 21 February."

Cricket Australia also released the squads to be involved in the two World Cup warm-up matches for that form part of Bangladesh’s preparation for the tournament, the first of which will not involve Clarke and will be played at Allan Border Field in Brisbane on February 3.

The squads for those matches are:

Match one: Will Bosisto (WA), Harry Conway (NSW), Alex Gregory (SA), Chris Lynn (QLD), David Moody (WA), Jaron Morgan (WA), James Muirhead (VIC), James Pierson (QLD), Nic Stevens (QLD), Ashton Turner (WA), Timm Van der Gugten (TAS), Sean Willis (TAS).

Match two: Will Bosisto (WA), Michael Clarke (NSW), Harry Conway (NSW), Alex Gregory (SA), David Moody (WA), Jaron Morgan (WA), James Muirhead (VIC), James Pierson (QLD), Nic Stevens (QLD), Ashton Turner (WA), Timm Van der Gugten (TAS), Sean Willis (TAS).

Both matches will be day games with free entry available to the public.