Michael Clarke determined to play till 2019 World Cup

Michael Clarke

Sydney, Jan 16 - Injury-plagued Australian skipper Michael Clarke believes he can continue playing cricket as far as the 2019 World Cup.

Clarke has been plagued with injuries over the past year and has battled to overcome chronic back and hamstring troubles, but insists that he still has a long way to go in international cricket.

"It's funny, a lot of people have said or thought, 'Michael is going to retire at the end of this World Cup'. I'm sure I am going to retire at the end of a World Cup, but I don't think it's this one," Clarke was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

Clarke also compared himself to wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin, 37, who is still an integral part of the Australian set-up.

"I'm 33 years of age - look at someone like Brad Haddin, who is 37 and still loving his cricket and contributing to the team. I do not see any reason why I can't play in the next World Cup," added Clarke.

Clarke batted in the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) nets on Thursday to give every indication that his recovery from hamstring surgery is progressing well.

He has played in 238 One-Day Internationals for Australia and scored 7762 runs.