Clarke ready for comeback

Clarke: returning from back injury

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Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke is poised to play in his first domestic match for three years as he looks to regain full fitness following a persistent back injury.

The 28-year-old returned to batting practice this week having been given the green light by Australian team physio Alex Kountouris after a three-month lay-off.

Clarke is now aiming to take part in the NSW Blues' 50-over Ford Ranger Cup match against Tasmania at North Sydney Oval on Sunday and also their four-day Sheffield Shield clash against the Tigers which starts the following Tuesday.

If he comes through those two games unscathed, Clarke will undoubtedly declare himself fit for the first Test against the West Indies in Brisbane which gets underway on November 26.

"I had a light bat on Monday and Tuesday and my back's feeling good," he stated. "It's improved over the past two weeks.

"Fingers crossed I'll be right for this Sunday and the four-dayer.

"I'd love to play both but I will have to wait and see. I'm pretty confident it will pull up okay."

There had been fears that occasional spinner Clarke would have to give up any bowling duties to manage his back condition, but the player himself insists he does not feel that will be the case.

"I don't think it will have an impact on when my career finishes," he added.

"I'm certain I will be able to bat, bowl and field as I have so far in my career."

Johnson fancies a rest

However, while Clarke is eager to be involved in domestic action this week, international colleague Mitchell Johnson admits he would relish a break from it ahead of the forthcoming series with the West Indies.

The reigning ICC Cricketer of the Year returned to Perth early on Thursday morning having helped Australia to a memorable one-day international series win over India.

Johnson arrived nursing a slight ankle injury he picked up in India and feels a period of rest would be the best course of action for him.

"It'd be nice to have a little bit of a rest," he explained. "If it all works out perfectly, I think I'd rather go that way leading up into the Test series.

"No-one wants to miss games, but I definitely don't want to miss Test matches."

Some observers felt the all-rounder would benefit from a run-out with his club side Warriors in their forthcoming Sheffield Shield match in a bid to build his form in the longer version of the game after a patchy time in England.

However, Johnson insists he is confident of performing well even if he was to sit out the contest with Western Australia.

"I'm feeling pretty confident if I don't play a warm-up game of going into a Test match (and playing to my best)," he continued.

"We bowled 10 overs in a one-day game so you (may) spend a little bit more time out in the field in Test match cricket but I mean, you're not going to lose your fitness and your skills over a short period of time."

And Johnson went on to admit the unlikely ODI series victory over India had given the entire Australian camp a very welcome boost.

"Going over there with the squad that we had, a few injuries, guys going back, it was a pretty satisfying victory over there in those conditions," he added.

"Playing over in India, it's very tough over there and I think they were pretty confident with the side that they have, they've got a lot of great players.

"(But) I think it's a great step forward for us as well with the talent that we've got coming through as well."