Michael Clarke has been named Australia captain for the World Cup despite the fact he will miss the start of the tournament.
Australia’s selectors have shown their faith in Clarke’s powers of recovery by naming him in their 15-man squad less then four weeks after he had surgery on a torn right hamstring.
The 33-year-old will miss his country’s opening World Cup match against England in Melbourne on 14 February and he has until the team’s second game of the tournament against Bangladesh a week later to prove his fitness.
Rod Marsh, Australia’s chairman of selectors, said: “We have said that if Michael has not recovered by our second match against Bangladesh on 21 February, we will replace him in the squad. He understands that and is working tirelessly with medical staff to get back to fitness.”
Clarke said: “If I don’t make it, it won’t be for lack of hard work, but I’m confident I’ll be fit.”
This squad will be used for the upcoming Tri-Series, meaning Australia will have only 13 fit players to take on England and India as Mitchell Marsh is also out with a hamstring injury.
There were few surprises in the 15-man party, with George Bailey retained as vice-captain, meaning he will lead Australia into the World Cup.
Australia squad: M Clarke (c), G Bailey (vc), Finch, Warner, Watson, Smith, Maxwell, Marsh, Faulkner, Haddin, Johnson, Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood, Doherty.
