Michael Clarke Fitness: Updates on Australian Cricket Star's Status and Return

Michael Clarke is currently recovering from a hamstring injury, but on Jan. 14 was shown practicing in the nets. He's currently expected to be ready for the Cricket World Cup and is expected to play against Bangladesh.

Continue for updates. 

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Clarke Expected to Play vs. Bangladesh

Wednesday, Feb. 11

Aussie coach Darren Lehmann revealed that Clarke will not play in Saturday's matchup against England but will play against Bangladesh, according to Jesse Hogan of The Age.

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Clarke on Track for Cricket World Cup

Sunday, Jan. 18

Fox Sports News provided a synopsis of what Lehmann had to say about Clarke's recovery and outlook:  

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Clarke Practicing

Wednesday, Jan. 14

The Cricket Australia Twitter account snapped a picture of Michael Clarke practicing on Wednesday:

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Clarke Rehabbing Hamstring Injury 

Saturday, Jan. 10

Australia have suffered a potentially huge blow in their buildup to the 2015 Cricket World Cup, with Test captain Michael Clarke in a race against time to make a full recovery from hamstring surgery.

According to the Daily Telegraph's Ben Horne, Clarke won't be available for the tournament opener against England on February 14, but he's quoted by Cricket Australia as saying he's confident of a timely comeback:

Steve Smith has been promoted to the leader role in Clarke's absence, and George Bailey retains the vice-captaincy, but the entire squad will be relying on the veteran helmsman to return.

According to Brett McKay of ESPN Scrum, however, selectors will be forced to revise their squad unless he can make it back in time for the team's second Pool A fixture against Bangladesh on February 21:

It's a testament to the 33-year-old's importance that even with such uncertainty over his World Cup contributions, Australian selectors had no trouble in naming Clarke to their 15-man squad.