“I am really happy to be playing for my grade club this weekend and regard this as a positive step on my road to a return to full fitness”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Australia captain Michael Clarke will play grade cricket this weekend since the national selectors want him to get some match practice prior to the start of the World Cup.

Clarke will play for Western Suburbs in their match against Gordon at the Chatswood Oval in Sydney.

Clarke is also set to represent a Cricket Australia XI in a practice match against Bangladesh in Brisbane next Thursday.

“I am really happy to be playing for my grade club this weekend and regard this as a positive step on my road to a return to full fitness,” Clarke said. “It is exciting to be at this stage where I can consider walking onto a cricket field again and so, thanks to the guidance of the Cricket Australia medical staff and with the work I have put in, the signs are positive.

“But at the same time I know I have to respect the fact that I am on a daily programme and there is no point in us getting too far ahead of ourselves. I know I need to take things one step and one day at a time and so, for now, all I am doing is focusing on things day by day and with a belief in a positive outcome.”

Providing an update on Clarke’s hamstring injury, Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said: “Michael is making good progress following his injury and the subsequent surgery six weeks ago, and the fixture in Sydney this weekend when he will play only as a batsman, and next week’s match in Brisbane, where he will play as a batsman with a limited fielding role, are all part of a gradual return to competitive action.

“We are determined to maintain a conservative approach to the management of Michael’s recovery but should he come through these matches without any adverse reaction, he remains on target to return as per our original schedule, for the second match of Australia’s ICC Cricket World Cup campaign, against Bangladesh in Brisbane on 21 February.”