Captain Clarke won't quit any format yet

Cricket365
September 5, 2013

Australia captain Michael Clarke says he has no intention of retiring from one of the three formats, saying his back injury won't stop him from taking part in as much cricket as possible.

Clarke suffers from a chronic lower back problem, which saw him miss the final Test in India earlier this year, and much of the build up to the Ashes. He played in all five Tests in England though, and has stayed on for the ODIs.

'Pup' has played 97 Tests and 228 ODIs, and is the Aussies' best batsman at the moment by a rather long way. He says he can keep adding to those caps as long as he manages his body correctly.

Clarke said on Thursday: "I don't know how many one-day games and Test matches I have played throughout my career but I have managed to stay on the park for the majority of those.

"It's obviously manageable and I feel as fit and strong as I have been throughout my career so I don't see why I cannot continue to manage it and carry on playing in both forms of the game.

"If you look at my preparation leading up to the Champions Trophy, I had time off and didn't go to the IPL to get myself fit and strong.

"My preparation, my training was outstanding when I got over to England and five days later, I did my back.

"I don't know what is perfect preparation for my back but I think I can manage my body as well as I have done in the past and that will allow me to continue playing both forms.

"I love one-day cricket, I enjoy Test cricket and I love being part of both sides and captaining both sides. Right now I haven't even thought about that (quitting one form of the game)."