Intro:

Coach Darren Lehmann claimed on Wednesday (4 February) that all was well in the Cricket Australia camp, as captain Michael Clarke continues to approach full fitness with the World Cup looming.

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (English) Darren Lehmann, Australian cricket coach:
"I think as a whole group we know he (Michael Clarke) is ready to come back and play, and we want him playing. He's captain of our country and he's going to lead us really well in the World Cup, so fingers crossed he gets through the next couple of games and he's right to go. So, we're impressed where he's at and we're quite confident he's going to be ready to go."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Darren Lehmann, Australian cricket coach:
(on whether Clarke will continue as captain)
"Oh yeah, definitely, definitely. He's got a pretty important job to play with us, as leader, and he's been fantastic for us, so we need im playing well and leading well."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Darren Lehmann, Australian cricket coach:
"Yeah, it is positive mate, so, he's ahead of schedule and, you know, next couple of days hopefully he plays tomorrow and gets through that, no dramas, another box ticked and away we go."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Darren Lehmann, Australian cricket coach:
"Yeah, I can understand where he's coming from, I mean we're all copying It. End of the day, look, we know he's (Clarke) going to be alright to go, we're really confident of that. And he's confident, that's more important, and we need him back, and back playing well."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Darren Lehmann, Australian cricket coach:
"Well I think 12 months ago you guys were saying we haven't got enough leaders in our group. So I'm pretty comfortable we've got enough leaders going around. So whoever is captain at the time will play the way we've obviously moulded our game plan, you know, that's Michael first and foremost, then George (bailey), and if they're both not there then it's Steven (smith), so I don't know why we're worried about leaders too much."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Darren Lehmann, Australian cricket coach:
"Yeah but you always have those, I think, at World Cups. I think we've had them...definitely 2003 we had a few injuries, 2007, so for us it's a case of getting everyone on the park, fit and hopefully playing good cricket. I'm really impressed the way we played the tri-series, impressed the way the players went about it. So, yeah, we're in a good spot."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Darren Lehmann, Australian cricket coach:
"Yeah, you've just got to deal with it don't you. We know what's going on within our group and we're really comfortable where we're sitting. Obviously, a really good last 12 months, I think out of 23 games we won 19 of them, so we're in a good space, and we just worry about playing good cricket. So everyone's entitled to their opinion."