I want to keep playing ODIs: Clarke

Michael Clarke says it’s only natural for pundits and the public to speculate about who will succeed him as Australia captain.

But the hamstrung skipper has no intention to fast-track retirement plans or give up one-day cricket.

The Nine Network aired a pre-recorded interview with Clarke on Tuesday morning after a day of mixed messages from him and Cricket Australia.

Clarke claimed on Monday he’d been ruled out of a tour game starting on Friday, which selectors were going to use as a fitness test for next week’s first Test in Brisbane.

CA suggested that wasn’t the case and dismissed Clarke’s hopes that a day of grade cricket could convince selectors he is right for the Gabba.

Clarke has never missed a Test on home soil due to injury despite his chronic back problems but that run looks set to end at the Gabba.

The 33-year-old said he was not contemplating retirement following a third hamstring setback since August.

“No I don’t (have any plans to retire in the next 12 months),” he told Nine.

“My goal is to continue to play for Australia for a lot longer; I love both forms of the game.

“I want to continue to play both forms of the game.”

Speculation had already been bubbling about Clarke’s long-term replacement, with Steve Smith looming as the most likely candidate.

“Once you get past the age of 30, I think naturally there’s always talk about who’s going to be next, how long you play for,” Clarke said.

“I probably experienced that other side of that as vice-captain.

“People should be looking and thinking about who is going to take that role once I’m either dropped or not selected, or I retire.”

Clarke on Monday nominated Brad Haddin as the man most likely to lead the side on December 4 if he is unavailable.

“I really hope I’m fit and I’m there to captain Australia,” he said.

“If I’m not, then I think Brad Haddin the vice-captain should definitely takeover the captaincy.”

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