Lehmann: Clarke on track for World Cup

Lehmann gave Clarke's race to recover from hamstring surgery its firmest backing. 

Australia head coach Darren Lehmann is 'sick' of speculations surrounding Michael Clarke's fitness and said the 33-year-old will be up and running to captain the side for the World Cup. Clarke's availability had been uncertain after he sustained a hamstring injury during the Test series against India, but Lehmann gave full backing to his return to action.

"I don't know why we're worried about leaders too much," Lehmann said in Brisbane. "At the end of the day, we know he [Clarke] is going to be right to go."

Clarke recently scored 51 runs for Western Suburbs against Gordon in a Sydney Grade match at Chatswood Oval. He looked comfortable during his fielding drills in the nets on Wednesday morning and is set to play another game - for Cricket Australia XI against Bangladesh on Thursday. "We're really confident in that, and he's confident - that's more important. We need him playing and leading well. He's ahead of schedule and plays tomorrow again. If he gets through that with no dramas, then we have another box ticked," Lehmann said.

Clarke is required to meet the February 21 deadline in order to prove his World Cup fitness, or else be ruled out. However, Lehmann hinted that Clarke's current fitness might even enable him to spring a surprise and turn up for the opening game against England. "When he gets back we've got to make sure he's right to go," Lehmann toldAdelaide radio station FIVEaa. "He knows that, he's diligent, he's good to go and really confident he'll be right to lead us hopefully before Bangladesh, but definitely by Bangladesh."

While Clarke was out nursing his injury, Steven Smith was made in charge of the Test team following which there were reports of a squabble between him, his team-mates and Cricket Australia. Lehmann though, shrugged off the possibility of any such such event. "You've just got to deal with it, don't you?" he said. "Everyone is entitled to their opinion but, for us, we know we are in a good space."

Lehmann also popped in a word about his stand-in ODI skipper George Bailey, who's been struggling for form. With just 21 runs in the past four innings, it is assumed that Clarke will come in as a direct replacement for Australia's vice-captain. "George needs to make some runs like everyone else in the side, there's no doubt about that. He knows that better than most," Lehmann said.

"There's no difference between the top player and the 15th player. We're a squad and one thing I do know of World Cups is that you need a squad to win it. I can't complain about his work ethic and everything he has brought as a captain to the table.

"It's just a bit of confidence, and that can happen in this game as we know. As selectors, we'll sit down and work out what the best side and combination is when they're all fit and available."