Michael Clarke: Not ready for international cricket yet

Michael Clarke passed the latest milestone set for him by Cricket Australia’s medical staff on Thursday but the skipper says he’s not yet ready to play a one-day international.

Clarke said he had been set a target of fielding a minimum of 25 overs for a Cricket Australia XI in Thursday’s unofficial warm-up match against a Bangladeshi XI.  In fact, he was on the ground for 32 overs – more than two hours – before coming off, and bowled two overs of left-arm off-spin.

“The ideal world was to field for at least half the game … I managed 32 overs which was nice. The body feels good, I just got a bit more treatment now but I pulled up pretty well.” said Clarke after his innings of 34.

Clarke’s official deadline to prove his fitness remains Australia’s second World Cup pool match, against Bangladesh Feb 21 at the Gabba.

“My opinion, I think there’s probably still a gap between where I am now and playing a one-day international for Australia. The fortunate thing is I’ve got plenty of time to close that gap.”

Australia begin their World Cup campaign against England in Melbourne on February 14. Clarke flies to Adelaide Friday as Australia’s World Cup squad assembles ahead of Sunday’s first official warm-up match against India at the Adelaide Oval.

“At this stage I don’t think I’m playing that match (against India). The plan is for me to join the boys in Adelaide, fly with the boys to Melbourne then play the practice match against the United Arab Emirates (in Melbourne Wednesday).”said Clarke.