Sachin Tendulkar is among five of the best cricketers in Michael Clarke’s list

Australian Test captain Michael Clarke has included Sachin Tendulkar in his list of top five cricketers. According to him, Indian batting legend is one of the top five greatest cricketers he has played against or with during his international career.

The 34-year-old has revealed the list during an interaction with his fans on Twitter. The other four names of his list are Australian bowling greats Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis and West Indian Brian Lara.

Clarke mentioned Pakistani speed star Shoaib Akhtar as the quickest bowler he has ever faced. He has also stated English all-rounder Andrew Flintoff as the best bowler he has faced so far.

When he was asked about the most untidy player in the Australian dressing room, he replied with his predecessor Ricky Ponting's name.

Michael Clarke has retired from ODI and T20 cricket formats to extend his Test career. Now, he is in the West Indies for a Test series against the hosts. 

Michael Clarke scores half-century in his first comeback match

It looks like that Michael Clarke is recovering from injury to make his return to the World Cup squad. The 33-year-old player has scored fifty while playing for Western Suburbs in his first comeback match against Gordon.

Playing at No. 3 in the batting order, he has scored 51 runs from 128 balls, including two fours and a six and more importantly his innings lasted almost three hours on a Chatswood Oval pitch. It was his first match since he went under hamstring injury in December.

Michael Clarke is trying to prove his fitness as early as Australia’s second match of the ICC Cricket World Cup on February 21. To play his second comeback match, he will fly to Brisbane today evening. It is going to be a very important match for him because his recovery from this match will help him to represent Cricket Australia XI against Bangladesh in a World Cup warm-up match at Allan Border Field on Thursday.

He has considered this match just another step on the road to the World Cup. 

Michael Clarke is not sure for 5th ODI against Sri Lanka

After Australian skipper, Michael Clarke, has twisted his ankle at the training session, he is facing uncertainty to play in the final ODI match against Sri Lanka in Hobart on 23^rd January. He had injured his ankle in a regulation warm-up fielding drill.

This news has come as a big blow for the Australian cricket team as opening batsman David Warner and wicketkeeper Matthew Wade had been rested for the series against Sri Lanka.

According to the Australian cricket board, Clarke went under the treatment of his ankle and his fitness would be announced later today. It is expected that he will be fit for the series decider ODI match against the touring team.

If he is announced not fit then vice-captain, George Bailey, is likely to be announced as stand-in captain in Clarke’s absence. If Bailey is made captain then for the first time he will lead Australia on his home ground.

Cricket Australia is yet to announce a player’s name to replace Clarke. It is not sure if selectors would include a standby batsman for the final match that will decide the fate of the series.

Sri Lanka is leading the 5-match ODI series 2-1 after the fourth one-day international match in Sydney was washed out on Sunday.

Michael Clarke signs with Pune Warriors

Australia captain, Michael Clarke, is going to make his debut in the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has completed his deal with one of the franchises, Pune Warriors, where he will play under former Indian captain, Sourav Ganguly.

The 31-year-old player has retired from Twenty20 cricket format in January 2011. However, he will continue his duty as captain in both Test and ODI format of cricket game.

There is no doubt about the greatness of Clarke. It has to be mentioned that the reigning Australian skipper is one of the world’s best cricketers. So, the owner of Pune Warriors, Sushanto Roy, is thrilled to have Michael Clarke in his club.

The inclusion of Clarke will help the team to increase the strength. His inclusion has come after the injury blow of James Hopes, which indicated that Warriors will have to fill up two foreign players’ slot after the IPL governing council allowed the franchise to use 5 foreign players to cover the gap of injured Yuvraj Singh this season.

Because of his signing with the IPL franchise, he will not be able to play for his country in the ongoing 3-match Test series, which will end on April 23, against West Indies.

Clarke did not take part in the previous editions of the tournament citing his national duty.