Cricket World Cup: Michael Clarke could play for Western Suburbs in comeback from hamstring injury
MICHAEL Clarke could turn out for grade club Western Suburbs next weekend as he looks to provide the proof selectors are looking for ahead of the World Cup.
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MICHAEL Clarke could turn out for grade club Western Suburbs as early as next weekend as he looks to provide the overwhelming proof selectors are looking for to pass him fit for the World Cup.
Simmering tensions exist between the Australian hierarchy and Clarke dating back to the very start of the summer, when they clashed heads over his fight to prove his fitness for the originally scheduled first Test in Brisbane.
Ironically, he was at one stage looking at the possibility of playing a grade game for Wests to prove his fitness for the Gabba, while CA wanted him to play in either a Sheffield Shield match or a tour game in Adelaide.
Selectors have set a strict February 21 deadline for Clarke to prove his fitness for the World Cup because they want to be as assured as possible that he won’t break down in a big tournament game.
BAILEY HAPPY LEADING ON CLARKE’S WATCH
The Australian captain is getting stronger by the day with his rehabilitation from hamstring surgery, and on Monday looked unencumbered and even powerful as he completed laps in driving rain at the SCG before the start of the one-dayer.
National Selector Rod Marsh said when the World Cup squad was announced that he was keen for Clarke to turn out for Australia in their warm-up clash against the UAE in Melbourne on February 11 — even if that was just as a batsman who didn’t field and even though he’s already been ruled out of the World Cup opener on February 14.
The UAE outing remains a strong possibility of happening, but Clarke could be back on the field even sooner.
Although a decision won’t be made until later this week, there appears to be a growing chance Clarke may turn out for his Sydney club Wests either this weekend or perhaps more likely, the following round starting on February 7.
Western Suburbs are yet to hear whether one of their favourite sons will make an appearance for them, but would welcome his inclusion with open arms.
It means Clarke and Australian cricket appears set for one of two scenarios.
That Clarke continues to improve and will be passed fit for Australia’s second World Cup clash against Bangladesh in Brisbane.
Or that the skipper narrowly misses the deadline, but turns out for NSW in Sheffield Shield cricket while the World Cup is still in full swing.
The latter scenario could result in a showdown between both parties.
Former South African captain Graeme Smith is among those who have questioned whether Australian selectors should risk selecting Clarke for the February 14-March 29 tournament, saying: “[Steve] Smith has more of a power game than Clarke.
“I also feel it’s all about personality. Going into a World Cup, it’s all about how a team is run behind the scenes, it is a high-pressure environment.
“Michael has been an outstanding captain, but is more of an abrasive personality. It will be interesting to see now that they have been under Smith for the last few months and if Michael moves back into that space, how then that shifts the personality of the team.’
“If Clarke plays, does Smith play? It’s almost hard to find a position for both of them.”
However, the bad blood between selectors and Clarke that are clearly bubbling below the surface may not escalate any further if the 33-year-old continues to make such impressive progress with his recovery.
Unless Clarke suffers a further injury setback in his recovery, it would appear he is close to returning to international or first-class cricket next month.
But the million-dollar question is whether that will be in the World Cup, or in regional NSW for the Blues in Sheffield Shield.
Although the sight of the skipper wearing a blue cap in either Wagga Wagga or Newcastle while Australia are battling away in a World Cup shapes as a potentially embarrassing situation for the game, CA wouldn’t stand in the way of Clarke returning for NSW so soon.
In fact, after his repeated injury problems of the past six months, they want him to play as much cricket as possible leading into the Test tours of West Indies and England.
Clarke has been batting in the nets and following his strict training regime religiously every day.
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