Clarke to make comeback from injury

Michael Clarke is poised to make his long-awaited comeback from injury as he begins his bid to captain Australia in the one-day World Cup.

Clarke will reportedly return to the field this weekend in a match for Sydney grade side, Western Suburbs.Clarke is expected to play as a batsman in the two-day game against Gordon at Chatswood Oval. He's then scheduled to play a tour match against Bangladesh on February 5, ahead of his fitness deadline 16 days later. Aussie coach Darren Lehmann confirmed that Clarke was ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation from surgery for a hamstring injury.

"He's had a couple of bats in the nets, which is a really good thing for us. Fingers crossed, but he's ahead of schedule," Lehmann said.

"We'd love him to play some warm-up games, but we'll be guided by the medical staff there. The pleasing thing is he's back in the nets and hopefully he can ramp it up from there."