Michael Clarke made it through his return match unscathed.
But as one of many Australian batsmen involved in the woeful collapse of 8-26 in nine overs against New Zealand, Clarke is far from pleased.
“I’d like some runs,” Clarke said when asked to reflect on his comeback match after more than two months on the sidelines.
“Especially the top six batters. We were disappointing today.
“My shot selection was poor. Especially at that time, we’d just lost three for two, I think.”
With the exception of a World Cup warm-up game against the United Arab Emirates, Clarke had not led Australia since tearing his hamstring in the first Test against India.
Clarke was set a fitness deadline of February 21, the match against Bangladesh in Brisbane, which was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain.
The 33-year-old has suffered chronic back and hamstring woes throughout his career, but insisted during the past fortnight that he is the fittest he has been in five years.
Clarke is confident he won’t be rested from Wednesday’s match against Afghanistan in Perth.
“I hope so. The selectors haven’t picked a team, but I would hope so,” Clarke said.
“I don’t think it will be from the flight (from Auckland to Perth) that I don’t play. Maybe not making enough runs,” he added with a smirk.
Australia are flying from Auckland to Perth on Sunday, then prepare for their match with Afghanistan on Wednesday.
A date with Sri Lanka at the SCG is on the following Sunday, making for a helter-skelter schedule relative to the one game they played in the opening fortnight of the tournament.
“Recovery is going to be key,” Clarke said.
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