Michael Clarke has cleared another hurdle in race to be fit for the cricket World Cup, getting through a practice one-dayer against Bangladesh unscathed.

Continuing his comeback from hamstring surgery, the Australian captain appeared untroubled as he clubbed a solid 34 while playing for a Cricket Australia XI at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field.

Clarke would have liked a better score but looked comfortable and expansive enough at the crease to suggest he is well on track to prove his fitness for the World Cup, which begins on February 13.

Bumped up the order to opener after Bangladesh were dismissed for just 193, he smacked six fours in an almost run-a-ball innings but fell in the first over of spin he faced, caught behind off the bowling of Bangladeshi tweaker Shabbir Rahman.

Clarke has been given until Australia’s pool match against Bangladesh on February 21 to prove his fitness or be ruled out of the World Cup.

All up Thursday’s match was an important stride forward for Clarke, who fielded well earlier and even threw himself into the bowling attack for a brief two-over spell.

Clarke jogged off the field at the conclusion of his second over, the 32nd of the innings, and did not re-emerge until it was his time to bat – but his fitness was clearly not in question.

Despite suggestions Clarke would be restricted to only light fielding duties, he was deployed in multiple positions and managed get down low to take a good catch while in the slips cordon.

The 33-year-old bent forward to pocket an edge from Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan off the bowling of Ashton Turner.

Clarke also spent time at midwicket and also stopped to sign merchandise and take photos with fans while fielding along the boundary.