Published: Sep 06, 2013, 12:16 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 06, 2013, 12:16 PM (IST)
Michael Clarke missed the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 due to a chronic back problem, but played all five Test matches of the Ashes 2013 series © Getty Images
Sep 6, 2013
Michael Clarke said that he had no intention of retiring from any one format of the game to prolong his international career. The Australia captain has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, but he said that will not stop him from playing as much cricket as he can.
Clarke’s chronic back problem forced him to miss the fourth Test against India, the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2013 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2013. However, he played all the five Tests against England in the Ashes 2013. He is now set to play the One-Day International (ODI) series beginning from September 6.
The Australian captain has so far played 97 Test matches and 228 ODIs. He believes that as long as he can manage his body properly, there is no reason he cannot add to those appearances.
“I don’t know how many one-day games and Test matches I have played throughout my career but I have managed to stay on the park for the majority of those,” said Clarke as reported by Cricket365.com.
“It’s obviously manageable and I feel as fit and strong as I have been throughout my career so I don’t see why I cannot continue to manage it and carry on playing in both forms of the game.
“If you look at my preparation leading up to the Champions Trophy, I had time off and didn’t go to the IPL to get myself fit and strong. My preparation, my training was outstanding when I got over to England and five days later, I did my back.
“I don’t know what is perfect preparation for my back but I think I can manage my body as well as I have done in the past and that will allow me to continue playing both forms.
“I love one-day cricket, I enjoy Test cricket and I love being part of both sides and captaining both sides. Right now I haven’t even thought about that (quitting one form of the game).”
