’Clarke ready for any World Cup fitness test’

Adelaide, February 4: Recuperating Australian captain Michael Clarke will pass the most challenging fitness test to confirm his place in the World Cup squad, his long time persol trainer said on Wednesday.

Cricket Australia has given Clarke, down with back and hamstring complaints, time till February 21 to prove his fitness. Australia play Bangladesh in their second pool match on February 21.

There is growing concern in Australia that the co–hosts have to conduct their World Cup campaign without their regular captain.

But trainer Duncan Kerr said the 33–year–old was “giving it everything he possibly can to get it right and meet that deadline”. He first worked with Clarke 17 years ago. Kerr claims he is uware of the specifics of the test Clarke must pass by February 21, saying “it’s all pretty much hush–hush at the moment”. IANS