Do we really need Michael Clarke at the World Cup anyway?

The question is being posed given the Australian captain’s latest hamstring injury.

Isn’t Clarke a fading force? An accumulator in an age of accelerators? Maybe. And yes.

But a World Cup without Clarke would deny Australia the talents of an all-time great in the limited-overs showpiece.

Clarke has the third-highest average of any World Cup batsman – 83.62.

Bet you can’t name the batsmen above him. Viv Richards? Sachin Tendulkar? Ricky Ponting?

None of the above – the World Cup’s best all-time average belongs to South African blaster Lance Klusener (124), then comes Aussie Andrew Symonds (103).

For the record, Clarke’s World Cup average is streets ahead of Viv (63.31), Sachin (56.95) and Ricky (45.86).

Clarke averaged 77.67 in the 2007 tournament; 87.20 in the 2011 edition – compelling evidence that the most meaningful limited-overs tournament produces his most meaningful contributions.

Clarke’s one-day averages have slipped in the past three calendar years – from 56.25 in 2011, to 36.20 this year.

But his overall record in the 50-over format demands respect.

In 238 one-day internationals, Clarke has amassed 7762 runs at 44.86.

Of Australians to play more than 50 ODIs, only Michael Bevan’s average of 53.58, and Mike Hussey’s 48.15, surpass Clarke.

And Clarke also sits fourth on Australia’s all-time limited overs run-scoring list.

CLARKE’S CAREER:

One-day internationals:

* 238 games, 7762 runs at average of 44.86 (8 centuries, 56 half-centuries)

World Cups:

* 18 games, 669 runs at 83.62 (no centuries, six half-centuries)

Best Australian ODI averages (minimum 50 games):

* Michael Bevan (53.58), Mike Hussey (48.15), Michael Clarke (44.86)

Best World Cup batting averages (all countries):

* Lance Klusener (124), Andrew Symonds (103) Michael Clarke (83.62)

Most ODI runs by Australians:

* Ricky Ponting 13,589 (374 matches), Adam Gilchrist 9595 (286), Mark Waugh 8500 (254), Michael Clarke 7762 (238)