Michael Clarke will take his first step in proving his fitness for the World Cup on Saturday when he plays Sydney grade cricket.

The 33-year-old will test his hamstring for his club side Western Suburbs against Gordon, just over six weeks since undergoing surgery.

It will be a big boost to Clarke if he gets through the two-day match over the weekend given Cricket Australia has insisted the Test and one-day captain be fit it time for Australia’s second pool match of the World Cup against Bangladesh on February 21.

Clarke will play as a batsman only and said he was mindful of not re-injuring himself two weeks out from the World Cup.

“It is exciting to be at this stage where I can consider walking onto a cricket field again and so, thanks to the guidance of the Cricket Australia medical staff and with the work I have put in, the signs are positive,” he said.

“But at the same time I know I have to respect the fact that I am on a daily program and there is no point in us getting too far ahead of ourselves. I know I need to take things one step and one day at a time.”

The severity of the hamstring tear, suffered while fielding in the first Test against India in Adelaide, meant Clarke was judged to be at long odds to play any part in the six-week tournament starting on February 14.

However, the Australian skipper is well ahead of schedule to beat the CA deadline, having batted in the nets and run at full pace over the last few weeks.

Should Clarke pull up well after this weekend’s hit out, he will continue his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane and turn out for a CA XI against Bangladesh on February 5.