Melbourne, Jan 19 (IANS): Australia captain Michael Clarke is on track to meet his ICC Cricket World Cup fitness deadline, easing fears he would be ruled out of his team’s campaign to win back the coveted ODI trophy on home soil.

Clarke, 33, has not played competitive cricket since early December when he damaged his right hamstring while fielding during the opening Commonwealth Bank Series Test match against India at the Adelaide Oval.

He has since undergone surgery to stitch the damaged hamstring tendon back in place and at the announcement of Australia’s 15-man World Cup squad a week ago it was made clear that the skipper must be fit for his team’s second Cup fixture against Bangladesh in Brisbane Feb 21.

If he failed to prove his fitness by that date, chair of the National Selection Panel Rod Marsh confirmed, Clarke would be ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.

Team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris Monday provided an update on Clarke’s recovery from the surgery he underwent Dec 16 and claimed his recovery was progressing on schedule.

"Michael is progressing well in his rehab and is currently running on a regular basis and has commenced batting," Kountouris said.

"He was reviewed by the surgeon in Melbourne Sunday who was very pleased with his progress. He remains on track for a return to play by Feb 21, the date we spoke of when the squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup was announced."