Cricket World Cup 2015: Michael Clarke convinces medical staff, selectors he’s ready

THE fitness test that has dominated headlines for the past month is no more. There are no more hoops left for Michael Clarke to jump through.

Australia's Michael Clarke returns the ball during a training session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on February 13, 2015. AFP PHOTO / Saeed KHAN --IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE--

THE fitness test that has dominated headlines for the past month is no more.

Michael Clarke has blitzed his rehabilitation program so convincingly there is no hoops left for him to jump through before taking the field in Saturday’s World Cup clash against Bangladesh in Brisbane.

When the strict February 21 deadline was announced back in mid-January, the feverous speculation over Clarke’s race against the clock began in earnest.

Following hamstring surgery in late December, Clarke committed himself to an exhaustive 12-hour daily rehabilitation schedule.

But the weeks of training on his own are over and Clarke has not only beaten the clock, he’s smashed it.

With three practice games, two half-centuries and some bowling overs under his belt, Clarke has already convinced medical staff and selectors he’s fit and ready.

The skipper simply has to train with his teammates as per normal over the coming days in Brisbane and he will be back in the position he cherishes so dearly.

Fielding has been the biggest question mark over Clarke, however coach Darren Lehmann has already indicated the 33-year-old should get through those drills without problem.

There’s no issues with his batting or bowling, in fact Clarke will be called upon to roll the arm over and assist Glenn Maxwell with the spin overs in the World Cup.

Michael Clarke and James Faulkner run the drinks during Australia’s opening World Cup match against England at the MCG last Saturday.

The acid test for Clarke will of course come on the international stage, but the fact he’s even made it there is an achievement in itself — given critics were claiming selectors had set him up to fail with their game two deadline.

Meanwhile, World Cup great Glenn McGrath says Shane Watson no longer has hold on the No. 1 all-rounder tag — and the time has come for him to prove he must stay in the Australian first-choice side.

Watson is under pressure to hold his spot, particularly when fellow all-rounder James Faulkner returns to the mix.

Faulkner isn’t yet back bowling, but no deadline has been placed on his return to fitness and he will be given every chance to come back before the finals.

McGrath has been a long-time supporter of Watson, since seeing him as a youngster smash a century for Tasmania against NSW at Bankstown Oval and marvelling at his abilities during the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean.

But McGrath said the time has come for Watson to put up or shut up.

“‘Wattos’ got the ability, he always had the ability, but he’s got to turn that around and get some big runs,” said McGrath.

“The fact is Mitchell Marsh is back doing well and Faulkner is not that far away.

“What makes Watto special in that all-rounder category, there’s other guys to fill that position now, so Watto’s got to start scoring some runs.”