Clarke hopeful of World Cup return

Michael Clarke has said he is recovering well from the surgery on his hamstring and hopes to be fit in time for the 2015 World Cup.

Clarke suffered a serious injury to the tendon component of his right hamstring on the final day of the first Test in Adelaide and underwent surgery last week; recovery from such an operation can take months. In his column for the Daily Telegraph newspaper, Clarke said he felt no pain while walking and was eager to start off with the second stage of his rehabilitation programme.

"The biggest thing for me at the moment is getting back on the field for the World Cup," he said "I have been told by medical staff that I am in as good a condition as I can be a week after undergoing the surgery. There is no swelling and no pain when I walk. I can't wait to begin stage two of the rehab process which involves starting to run again."

In the immediate aftermath of the injury, Clarke had admitted that he might have played for Australia for the last time and he might need to consider his cricket future. However, deciding on surgery was a clear indication that he retained the desire to come back and play for Australia again and the team physio, Alex Kountouris, later said that reports from the surgeon who had operated on Clarke had been positive.

Clarke also backed senior players, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin, who have faced batting slumps recently. While Rogers struck fifties in both innings of the Gabba Test, Watson and Haddin have scored 72 and 21 runs respectively in four innings of the series so far.

Clarke said it was crucial to have experienced players in the team when youngsters like Joe Burns were coming through. Burns was picked in the Australia Test squad in place of the injured Mitchell Marsh and could make his Test debut against India on Boxing Day at the MCG. Clarke also hoped that Rogers, Watson and Haddin would be a part of the team for the Ashes tour to England next year.

"Personally, I hope all three of them are on the plane to England for next year's Ashes series," Clarke added. "They bring so much more to the table than just their batting. It's crucial to have experienced guys like these in a team when you're bringing through youngsters like Joe Burns.

"I know how much I benefited over the years from the knowledge passed down to me by the seniors, and I'm sure Joe will be no different. I wish him all the best."