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.”