Melbourne: Spin legend Shane Warne feels four-time champions Australia will not win the Cricket World Cup without Michael Clarke.
Clarke scored 51 on his comeback match in Sydney club cricket on Saturday after undergoing surgery on his hamstring in December. The 31-year-old skipper was injured during the first Test against India in Adelaide and Steve Smith and George Bailey took over the captaincy duties in Tests and ODIs respectively.
“I don’t think Australia can win the World Cup without Clarke,” Warne said. “Australia were in disarray just over 12 months ago but under his captaincy, they won the Ashes 5-0 and then beat South Africa in South Africa.
Bailey captained Australia clinched the ODI tri-series title after defeating England by 112 runs in the final in Perth on Sunday. However, Warne said if Clarke is fit then Bailey will not figure in his playing XI. (PTI)
