Michael Clarke ahead of schedule in race to be fit for Cricket World Cup 2015

AUSTRALIA captain Michael Clarke’s plan to be fit for the World Cup has strengthened, after he returned to running duties on Tuesday.

Boxing Day Test Michael Clarke before play Picture:Wayne Ludbey

AUSTRALIA captain Michael Clarke’s plan to be fit for the World Cup has strengthened, after he returned to running duties on Tuesday, a week ahead of schedule.

To be back to light running drills just 15 days after right hamstring surgery is a major boost for Clarke and Australia, with medical staff pleased with his early progress.

Originally, the skipper wasn’t due to start running until next Tuesday.

Clarke is renowned for his meticulous commitment to training, and this week has been no different, as he’s juggled rehabilitation with commentary duties for Channel Nine in Melbourne.

CLARKE ADMITS HE WON’T BE FIT FOR OPENER

Michael Clarke has been working as a television commentator this week. Picture: Colleen Petch.

Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris had Clarke running at a low pace at short intervals at the MCG, and he will gradually build up his loads as the weeks go on.

The 33-year-old still doubts his chances of being fit for Australia’s World Cup opener against England at the MCG on February 14, however he’s confident he will be available for the majority of the showpiece tournament.

Clarke appeared no chance of participating at the World Cup when he tore his hamstring on the last day of the Adelaide Test and admitted there was a chance he may never play cricket again.

However, surgeons say the procedure and the early stages of his recovery couldn’t have gone any better and there is renewed optimism Australia’s best batsman could be on deck for the business end of the World Cup.

Selectors are set to name Clarke as part of their 15-man squad on January 11, and will monitor his progress through the rest of the month.

Many believed Clarke’s World Cup hopes were dashed by his hamstring injury in Adelaide. Picture: Simon Cross.

They have the luxury of replacing him at any time with a back-up player, therefore taking much of the risk out of his selection.

However, selectors will still be wary of taking Clarke into a tournament of such magnitude without warm-up matches under his belt.

Clarke has broken down in his past two one-day internationals and coach Darren Lehmann says they’d need to be 100 per cent certain of his fitness due to the rapid pace of ODI matches.

However, there is support for Clarke to be given every chance, given his outstanding ODI record which features eight centuries and nearly 8000 runs at an average of 45.

World Cups are often won by the big-match players.

Australia carried Andrew Symonds through the initial rounds of the 2007 World Cup even though a bicep injury was preventing him from being able to throw.

Their faith in the burly all-rounder was rewarded when Symonds stood up in the knockout matches.

Originally published as Michael Clarke ahead of schedule in race to be fit for Cricket World Cup 2015