Cricket: Clarke has no plans to ease up despite injuries
Speculation has been bubbling in the media about Clarke's long-term replacement.
SYDNEY (AFP) - Australian skipper Michael Clarke insisted Tuesday he has no plans to retire from either Test or one-day cricket despite injuries increasingly hampering his availability.
Clarke is in danger of missing the first Test against India next month as he struggles to overcome a hamstring problem that kept him out of much of the recent one-day series against South Africa.
It is the third hamstring issue he has had since August. The 33-year-old also continues to undergo daily treatment for a chronic back condition, raising concerns about his playing prospects this southern summer season and beyond.
But the skipper said has no intention of fast-tracking retirement plans or giving up one-day cricket.
"No I don t," the 107-Test veteran told the Nine Network when asked if he had any plans to retire in the next 12 months.
"My goal is to continue to play for Australia for a lot longer; I love both forms of the game. I want to continue to play both forms of the game."
Speculation has been bubbling in the media about Clarke s long-term replacement, with the in-form Steve Smith looming as a likely candidate.
"Once you get past the age of 30, I think naturally there s always talk about who s going to be next, how long you play for," Clarke said.
"I probably experienced the other side of that as vice-captain.
"People should be looking and thinking about who is going to take that role once I m either dropped or not selected, or I retire."
Clarke on Monday nominated Brad Haddin as the man most likely to lead the side in the first Test on December 4 at the Gabba if he is unavailable.
"I really hope I m fit and I m there to captain Australia," he said.
"If I m not, then I think Brad Haddin the vice-captain should definitely takeover the captaincy."
Clarke was named in a 12-man squad Monday for the first Test, subject to his fitness.
Selector Rod Marsh suggested that Wednesday was the deadline day to get himself ready to play for a Cricket Australia XI against the tourists in Adelaide on Friday.
If he came through that match, then he would take his place in the Brisbane Test side against India.
Clarke later said the Australian team s medical advisers had ruled him out of that match. Instead, he said he was hopeful of playing in a Sydney club game at the weekend to prove his fitness.
