Injured Michael Clarke in race against time to be fit for WC

As Australia have included Michael Clarke in their 15-man squad for the upcoming World Cup, the injured skipper faces a battle to be fit for the pinnacle tournament after being ruled out of the remaining Test series against India.

Clarke, who injured his right hamstring in Adelaide Test, must recover from surgery in time for Australia's pool game against Bangladesh on February 21 or he would be replaced.

The veteran skipper said that he was confident he would be fit, adding that he has got a lot to offer and wanted to be able to contribute. He further said that his focus was to get fully fit, however long that takes and he was not focused on the Bangladesh date as he was focused on his day to day training schedule, News.com.au reported.

According to National Selector Rod Marsh, Captain Michael Clarke would lead their World Cup campaign should he recover from his injury, adding that he was one of the world's best batsmen and they want to give him every chance to prove his fitness for the tournament as important as this one, the report added.

Australia's 15-man squad for the World Cup is as follows: Michael Clarke (capt), George Bailey (vc), David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, James Faulkner, Glenn Maxwell, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Xavier Doherty.