'Recovering' Clarke's hopes of leading Oz at 2015 WC still alive

Veteran Australian batsman Michael Clarke's hopes of leading his country at next year's World Cup are still alive as the cricketer revealed that his recovery from surgery on his torn hamstring is still progressing as expected.

Clarke tore his hamstring during the first Test against India and was ruled out for the series, prompting speculations that his latest injury could mean the end of his career.

The right-handed batsman has a chronic back problem that causes hamstring injuries and had been battling to make the field for the delayed first test before suffering back spasms while batting and then injured his hamstring while fielding, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Clarke said that the biggest thing for him at the moment is getting back on the field for the World Cup, ahead of the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, which starts on February 14.

He claimed that he has been told by medical staff that he is in as good a condition as he could be a week after undergoing the surgery, adding that there is no swelling and no pain when he walks.

Clarke is eagerly looking forward to begin stage two of the rehab process which involves starting to run again.

Australia holds a 2-0 lead over India in the four-match Test series after winning in Adelaide by 48 runs and in Brisbane by four wickets, the report added.