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Friday, 6 February 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Playing against those same Bangladesh opponents for a Cricket Australia Invitational XI in a pre-World Cup practice match, Clarke showed a fuller range of movement than some had expected, even submitting to the wishes of the national selector Rod Marsh by bowling two overs of left-arm spin after the visitors batted first.
Clarke fielded in the slips for the majority of his day, and claimed a sharp catch from the bowling of the spinner Ashton Turner to underline his sure hands in that position. He also spent some time roaming the outfield at deep cover, though this posting had him signing autographs for spectators more than hurling himself to stop balls short of the boundary rope. In all, he fielded for 32 of the allotted 50 overs.
When it was the CA XI’s turn to chase a modest target of 194, Clarke opened the batting and showed greater vim than he had managed in a relatively stodgy half-century for Western Suburbs in Sydney grade cricket at the weekend. In a 47-minute innings, he punched six boundaries on the way to 34 from 36 balls, before a legbreak from Sabbir Rahman took a thin outside edge.
About the only thing missing from Clarke’s display was any sign of sprinting at top pace, for in the leisurely surrounds of the practice fixture he was able to do most of his work by jogging in the field or between the wickets. However his willingness to bowl will be seen as significant by Marsh, Lehmann and others.
Clarke said he was satisfied with his progress, though admitted he was still some way away from reaching the fitness level required for the full intensity of a World Cup match.
“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,” Clarke said. “In my opinion I think there’s probably still a gap between where I am now and playing an ODI for Australia, but the fortunate thing is I have plenty of time to close that gap.”
Clarke is flying into Adelaide on Friday morning where the Australian squad will convene for the first time, and will continue to train and prepare though he will not play in the warm-up fixture against India on Sunday. He is a greater chance of appearing in the next practice fixture against the UAE at the MCG next week.
