World Cup 2015: Michael Clarke chance to lead Australia despite hamstring injury

THERE is some hope Michael Clarke could still play in the World Cup, after successful surgery to repair tendon damage in his right hamstring.

Australia's Michael Clarke reacts after injuring himself during the final day of their cricket test match against India in Adelaide, Australia, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. (AP Photo/James Elsby)

THERE is some hope Michael Clarke could still play in the World Cup, after successful surgery to repair tendon damage in his right hamstring.

The time frame for Clarke’s recovery is unknown at this stage, however Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said the skipper couldn’t be written off for the showpiece 50-over tournament starting in mid February.

Shane Warne said his best mate originally appeared no chance of making the World Cup, after injuring himself on the last day of the first Test in Adelaide.

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But there is renewed belief Clarke might be able to get himself in the frame, and after his previous pessimism, the 33-year-old appears determined to do everything he can to lead his team in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity on home soil.

Kountouris said surgery was determined to be the best course of action but even though the World Cup isn’t being ruled out, there’s no return date at this stage.

“Over the last 10 years it’s become apparent the tendons when they become injured, they don’t heal as well and are prone to reoccurrence,” he said.

“We explored with the surgeon and radiologist and decided this was the best course of action.

“Speaking to the surgeon, everything went really well. They found what they expected to find and there were no surprises.

“They managed to repair the damage and we’re very confident Michael is going to make a good recovery.

“It’s going to minimise risk of reoccurrence, and that’s the goal.

“His rehab depends on how he progresses from each stage. There’s no magic number.”

Michael Clarke had successful surgery on his hamstring. Picture: Simon Cross

Clarke spent the day tweeting incessantly from his sick bed about events in the second Test in Brisbane, a sign that he’s not yet ready to be a cricket watcher, despite admitting last week that there’s a chance he may never play again.

Asked whether the more explosive demands of 50-over cricket made Clarke a risk in a World Cup squad, Kountouris said there was nothing to suggest the captain was any more of a liability in a World Cup than a Test series.

Australia’s 15-man squad is announced on January 7 and if Clarke is picked, it will be on a wing and a prayer that he’ll be up and running a month later.

Officials have already made certain that Australia can replace Clarke in their squad at any time during the tournament, even though he would have taken a pre-existing injury into the exhausting 44-day event.

Originally it appeared Clarke might be put on ice for the World Cup, in a bid to get him fully functioning for the Test tours of the West Indies and England in five months time.

But Kountouris said the World Cup was still the plan.

“With Michael, the aim is for him to play in the World Cup,” He said.

“So he’ll do that rehab with that intent but we’ll only know that in the coming weeks when we know how he’s recovering.”

Clarke will begin strength work and will progressively build up to jogging.

However at the moment he is sore and ginger post surgery.