Australian coach Darren Lehmann hopeful about Michael Clarke's recovery before World Cup

Australia coach Darren Lehmann has offered his full support for Michael Clarke to return as captain for the World Cup after weeks of speculation over the 33-year-old's career. Asked if Clarke would be skipper again if fit in time for the competition which begins later this month, Lehmann said: "Definitely." "He's ahead of schedule," to return from hamstring surgery and chronic back pain, Lehmann added.

Cricket Australia have given Clarke until Australia's second pool match against Bangladesh on February 21 to prove his fitness for the World Cup. But Lehmann suggested that he could resume playing earlier, saying "fingers crossed he might be".

"Michael wants to lead his side really well through the World Cup and win the World Cup," Lehmann said. Clarke is set to play for a Cricket Australia XI against Bangladesh in an on day international match on Thursday in Brisbane but he will be restricted to batting and light fielding.

Meanwhile, Clarke’s trainer Duncan Kerr said that the 33-year-old was "giving it everything he possibly can to get it right and meet that deadline". He first worked with Clarke 17 years ago. Kerr claims he is unaware of the specifics of the test Clarke must pass by Feb 21, saying "it's all pretty much hushhush at the moment".

"Let's see what they throw at him and see how he goes," he was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday.

"Michael's done everything that's asked of him from a training point of view, from the program that's been set by Cricket Australia to the program that the physio gives him, to what I've given him. He's passed everything so far.

"He wants to play cricket. It's what he does best and what he enjoys. He's had doubters all his career and he's always come out on top. He's played 108 Tests. In his last Test he made 128. He can't be going too bad," he added.