Clarke bats and bowls in practise match

Australia captain Michael Clarke continued his progress towards making a full recovery for his country's upcoming World Cup campaign by batting, bowling and spending some time in the field in a practise match on Thursday.
With Australia coach Darren Lehmann keeping a close eye on proceedings, Clarke surprised many at the Allan Border field in Brisbane when he bowled two overs for a Cricket Australia XI against the visiting Bangladesh team when they batted.
Clarke said about his bowling: "I've been bowling for the last three weeks in the nets, so the skipper needed a couple of overs so he asked if I was happy to bowl and I was certainly happy to."
The national skipper spent 32 overs in the field and then scored a fluent 34 with the bat, including six crisp boundaries. Clarke declared himself happy with the workout but still does not feel ready for the opening clash of the World Cup, against England on the 14 February.
He said: "I would have liked a few more runs. But I've pulled up pretty well. It was nice to be able to contribute. "The ideal world was to field for at least half the game. I think I fielded for 32 overs which was nice, then to have a bat as well.
"It is positive. It's another step forward. It's really dictated by the medical staff. I'm trying to get fit and healthy as soon as possible and then the experts will make those decisions.
"They probably would have liked 100 today. They probably would have liked me to field for the whole 50 overs as well.
"In my opinion, I think there's a gap between where I am now and playing a one-day international for Australia [next week]. But the fortunate [thing] is I've got plenty of time to close that gap."
Latest
-
News
Brave decision looks familiar for David Warner in The Hundred
The Australia opener rejoins Southern Brave for the inaugural competition.
-
News
Chris Gayle could make dramatic West Indies return
Former captain Chris Gayle is set to be included in the West Indies squad for the first time in two years when they take on Sri Lanka.
-
News
What can we expect from the day-night third Test between India and England?
The penultimate contest of the series gets under way in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.
-
News
Virat Kohli confident India have the answers to pink ball questions
The third Test at Ahmedabad will be a day-night contest.
-
News
Joe Root pondering unleashing James Anderson and Stuart Broad in third Test
England’s all-time top two Test wicket-takers have only taken to the field together seven times in the last two years.
-
News
Tammy Beaumont and Heather Knight lead England to victory over NZ in first ODI
The triumph puts England 1-0 up in the three-match series.
-
News
Nicholas Pooran and Kagiso Rabada among 10 new arrivals at Manchester Originals
The likes of Jamie Overton, Harry Gurney, and Steven Finn were also snapped up by the Originals for The Hundred.
-
News
Bouncer law changes among hot topics on MCC agenda
The bouncer as we know it could soon cease to exist in top-level, following a virtual MCC meeting on Monday.
-
News
Kate Cross says it’s ‘amazing’ to break another boundary with The Hundred opener
The England international will be part of the Manchester Originals line-up.
-
News
Today in 2010: Brett Lee announces retirement from Test cricket
The Australia fast bowler ended his Test career with 310 wickets from 76 matches.