<p>Putting his weight behind injured Michael Clarke, Australia coach Darren Lehmann has said the 33-year-old batsman’s recovery from a hamstring surgery is “ahead of schedule” and he will captain the national team in the upcoming cricket World Cup.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Lehmann ended weeks of speculation over Clarke’s participation in the ICC’s showpiece event, which begins on February 14.<br /><br />“Definitely,” was Lehmann’s reaction when asked if Clarke would be fit in time to lead Australia in the World Cup.<br /><br />“He’s (Clarke) ahead of schedule,” he added.<br />Clarke has time till Australia’s second pool match of the World Cup against Bangladesh on February 21 to prove his fitness. But Lehmann hoped that Clarke would make a comeback much earlier.<br /><br />“Michael wants to lead his side really well and win the World Cup,” Lehmann said.<br />Meanwhile, Lehmann has issued a warning to out-of-form Australia vice-captain George Bailey, saying he needs to score runs to assure his place in the final XI during the World Cup.<br /><br />“George needs to make runs like everyone else in the side, there’s no doubt about that,” Lehmann said.</p>
<p>Putting his weight behind injured Michael Clarke, Australia coach Darren Lehmann has said the 33-year-old batsman’s recovery from a hamstring surgery is “ahead of schedule” and he will captain the national team in the upcoming cricket World Cup.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Lehmann ended weeks of speculation over Clarke’s participation in the ICC’s showpiece event, which begins on February 14.<br /><br />“Definitely,” was Lehmann’s reaction when asked if Clarke would be fit in time to lead Australia in the World Cup.<br /><br />“He’s (Clarke) ahead of schedule,” he added.<br />Clarke has time till Australia’s second pool match of the World Cup against Bangladesh on February 21 to prove his fitness. But Lehmann hoped that Clarke would make a comeback much earlier.<br /><br />“Michael wants to lead his side really well and win the World Cup,” Lehmann said.<br />Meanwhile, Lehmann has issued a warning to out-of-form Australia vice-captain George Bailey, saying he needs to score runs to assure his place in the final XI during the World Cup.<br /><br />“George needs to make runs like everyone else in the side, there’s no doubt about that,” Lehmann said.</p>