World Cup: Australia coach Darren Lehmann backs Michael Clarke to return to captaincy
Wednesday 4 February 2015 10:09, UK
Australia coach Darren Lehmann says Michael Clarke is ahead of schedule in his recovery from hamstring surgery and will captain the team at next month's Cricket World Cup.
And Lehmann said he was "sick" of speculation about Clarke's likely participation in the World Cup and his future as Australia captain.
Clarke will take a major step forward Thursday when he plays for a Cricket Australia XI against Bangladesh in a one-day warm-up match at Brisbane's Allan Border Field.
Cricket Australia have given Clarke until Australia's second World Cup pool match against Bangladesh on February 21 to prove his fitness or be replaced. Australian media have reported Clarke's prolonged rehabilitation has caused a rift with team-mates and speculation he may lose the captaincy to Steve Smith.
Lehmann said: "He's ahead of schedule. Let's hope he plays tomorrow - it's another box ticked and away we go. Michael wants to lead the side in the World Cup. His desire to get back on the park, it shows the young guys. He's got a pretty important job as leader and he's very important for us.
"He's ready to come back and play and we want him to play. He's captain of our country and he's very important for us. We're impressed where he is at and we're quite confident he will be ready to go."
On speculation that some of the players in the team want Steve Smith to skipper the side at the World Cup, Lehmann said in a radio interview: "I'm sick of it. I am looking forward to him coming back.
"He played grade (club) cricket on the weekend which is great, he's playing up here on Thursday so I'll get to have a look at him.
"He's captain of Australia, the second most important position behind the Prime Minister."
