Rod Marsh claims skipper Clarke might be required to bowl in WC

Australia's national team selector Rod Marsh has claimed that skipper Michael Clarke might be required to bowl in the World Cup, indicating that the skipper might need to take on his role as an all-rounder in the tournament.

If Clarke overcomes the odds to be passed fit for the World Cup, he would be in the thick of the battlefield in big matches. Safety net spinner Xavier Doherty would be Australia's specialist slow bowler, but might struggle to get a game at the pointy end of the tournament especially if Clarke is able to ball.

Both left-armers spin the ball away from the right-hander, and if selectors think they can rely on Clarke to give them a few overs along with fellow part-timer Glenn Maxwell, they would be tempted to go with an intimidating fast bowling arsenal, News.com.au reported.

Clarke has taken more ODI wickets at a better average than Doherty and Marsh said that the captain is well aware that being able to bowl is a key component of passing his strict February 21 fitness test.

Marsh said that if they have got a green top they re not going to be getting too many overs out of Clarke, but added that if they get a dry, dusty pitch, which is possible, the skipper would be required.

Marsh insisted that Clarke would know whether or not he's going to have to bowl, adding that Doherty is a proven one-day bowler and they know exactly what they are going to get with the spinner.

Marsh said that they have got one guy in the squad, Maxwell, who spins the ball into the right handers, adding that they need guys who are going to take the ball away from the right-handers and that's where Clarke comes in as well, as does Steven Smith.