Clarke set to miss Australia's opening match

Australia captain Michael Clarke, who is fighting against time to recuperate from a career-threatening right-hamstring injury has admitted that he might not be fit by the time the co-hosts play their inaugural match in the Cricket World Cup against England on February 14.

Australia captain Michael Clarke, who is fighting against time to recuperate from a career-threatening right-hamstring injury has admitted that he might not be fit by the time the co-hosts play their inaugural match in the World Cup against England on February 14.

"I don't think it's probably realistic for me to be 100% fit for the first game, but I think I will certainly be fit and available for the majority of the World Cup," Clarke said while he was live on air during his maiden commentary stint with the Channel 9 network.

"I think the advantage with the World Cup selection of 15 is you can take a player, if he's not fit you can rule him out of the tournament and bring someone else in. I'm hoping the selectors will give me that opportunity," Clarke further added.

According to a report in the 'Herald Sun', the 33-year-old said he advanced his rehabilitation yesterday, less than two weeks after surgery by getting on a bike for the first time.

He has been rehabilitating his hamstring three times a day, mostly under the watchful eye of CA medical staff — including physio Alex Kountouris and doctor Peter Brukner.

Clarke hopes to begin running again in the first week of the New Year.