Cricket World Cup: Michael Clarke selection could come back to haunt Australia

AUSTRALIA is walking a tightrope with its desire for a settled World Cup camp, introducing a rule for Michael Clarke that could come back to haunt them.

Selector Rod Marsh and Michael Clarke at the announcement of the Australian World Cup squad. Australia and New Zealand will host the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup which starts next month. pic. Phil Hillyard

AUSTRALIA is walking a tightrope with its desire for a settled World Cup camp after introducing a rule for Michael Clarke that may yet come back to haunt them.

Clarke’s chances of playing a part in the showpiece tournament have been slashed significantly, after the deadline for him to prove his fitness was set at the second World Cup pool game against Bangladesh on February 21.

That date is inside the 10-week recovery guideline for hamstring surgery and comes just seven days after the World Cup opener which Clarke has categorically stated he’s been ruled out of due to expert medical opinion.

At the start of this summer Cricket Australia were on the verge of reading the riot act to Clarke, unhappy with his handling of his own injury recovery leading into the first Test.

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Michael Clarke faces a race against time to play a part in the World Cup. Picture: Phil Hillyard.

It would appear selectors are keen to draw a line in the sand about who is calling the shots and avoid another potential drama brewing during the World Cup.

But the strict cut-off date has opened CA up to the awkward possibility that Clarke could be ruled out of the World Cup squad, but still turn out for NSW in Sheffield Shield cricket while teammates are tackling minnow nations in the pool stages.

The prospect of captain Clarke taking on Tasmania at Bankstown Oval a day after Australia plays Afghanistan in Perth is a scenario fans may find difficult to fathom.

Clarke appeared less than impressed about the squeeze being put on his recovery time when he sat alongside national selector Rod Marsh at a rather tense announcement of Australia’s 15-man squad, but has resolved to get on with business.

“…It’s really irrelevant what I think to be honest,” said Clarke.

“That’s what they’ve gone with, the selectors, that’s the system.

“I have to get fit and healthy and get myself back on the park to help Australia have success.

“It’s up to selectors, they make their decision and that’s why I say right now, my focus is getting fully fit to be able to play whatever form of the game, whether it’s Test cricket or ODI cricket.”

CA argue that they haven’t made one rule for Clarke and another for the rest of the squad, and that any other player with “chronic” injuries will also be ruled out at the February 21 juncture if they’re not fit.

But with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh due back from his ongoing hamstring problems before the end of the one-day tri-series, the fact is Clarke is likely to be the only player impacted by the deadline.

That said, Clarke has broken down on repeated occasions over the past 12 months and it’s understandable why selectors are demanding their injury-prone skipper play in pool matches to prove he can get through a major knock-out game.

Ultimately, Clarke’s hopes might rely on how arduous the fitness test is that he’ll have to face.

Marsh wants the 33-year-old to be able to show he can bowl, field and run between wickets.

Michael Clarke hasn’t played since injuring his back and hamstring against India in Adelaide.

In what would be a bizarre set of circumstances, Marsh is hopeful Clarke can play in a warm-up match against the UAE in Melbourne on February 11 – even if it means he can’t do anything but stand still at the crease and hit.

“It would be really nice if Michael could go and play some cricket before the 21st,” he said.

“It’s a practice match and Michael might be able to walk out there and have a hit. Just hit boundaries and not worry about running between wickets.”

To which Clarke responded with a laugh: “I don’t mind running a few.”

Marsh said Australia want Clarke in their best XI but was adamant speculation over his fitness couldn’t be allowed to drag on through the tournament.

“We want to be completely and utterly settled. What we don’t want is to talk about people’s fitness,” he said.

“In an ideal world it’d be nice to have Michael ready for the first game. In an ideal world it’d be nice to have all 15 ready for the first game, but that’s not going to be the case so we had to draw the line somewhere.

“We couldn’t keep it hanging on and on and on.

“That’s where we drew the line, and that’s what we decided.

“We want (Clarke) there don’t make any mistakes about that. Michael is certainly one of (the best batsmen in the country).

“He wants to play, all he’s got to do is get fit.”