Michael Clarke’s creaking body had finally given up.

After years of degenerative back and hamstring issues, this was the common assessment after the Adelaide Test in December last year; the captain was going to try and make it back, but he was as good as gone.

Clarke said it himself.

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“I may never play again,” the headlines screamed, as he underwent a severe course of treatment on his hamstring in an effort to be fit enough to lead Australia to the World Cup.

That he did, mission accomplished, successfully meeting the ambitious deadlines set by medical staff to execute a picture-perfect farewell to white-ball cricket.

Last week, his 109-match Test career recommenced, it almost going unmentioned that Australia’s last three starts were played under someone else, so easily did he slot back into the top job.

Clarke has a daunting personal record while in charge.

Of the 14 Test centuries he’s clocked in the role, the most recent two would be certain starters on any Clarke innings Mount Rushmore assembly.

In Cape Town last March, the gutsiest 161 not out set up a series victory against top-ranked South Africa.

Then came 128 in the aforementioned Adelaide Test, the bulk of which came after he’d earlier retired hurt.

Speaking to travelling media in Jamaica ahead of Australia’s second and final Test against the West Indies, which starts on Friday (1am AEST), Clarke was to the point when reflecting upon the challenges he confronted and the doubts that lingered.

“I don’t think there was too many people who thought I was going to make it,” he said.

“After I had my third hamstring incident in six months, there was a chance I’d never be able to play at my best again. And if I wasn’t able to play at my best, I wouldn’t be good enough to play for Australia.”

But here’s where it gets really interesting.

This was surgery aimed to save Clarke’s career, to squeeze the last drops from the sponge. Yet, is it possible it has also served to extend it markedly in the process?

The captain (centre) lifts the Ashes urn. Photo: Getty

“My body feels outstanding at the moment,” he said.

“Since surgery I haven’t felt my hamstring, touch wood – long may that continue.”

Hold up. Michael Clarke, at 34, not feeling so much as tightness in his hamstrings?

Could this be a suggestion that he’s going to be around a lot longer than we thought after all? Or wants to be, at any rate?

Of course, Clarke wouldn’t be the first to cling on for as long as possible at the twilight of a professional sporting career that has hit just about every high note there is.

However, the framework he went on to spell out is illuminating.

Clarke wants Australia to be the best team in the world.

Aware of how many veterans the current team contains, he leaves no doubt the standard he expects: “I haven’t noticed anybody who doesn’t have the hunger to want to be the best team in the world.

“While you’re still playing at the highest level you have to have that, because if you don’t, you’ll get found out.

The brains trust: vice-captain Smith with Clarke at the crease. Photo: Getty

“That’s one thing I’ve learnt throughout my career, and [from] the players I’ve seen get older and walk away from the game. As soon as you’re that far off in whatever way … it’s time to go.

“If you haven’t got that will and that fight to want to be successful, as a team firstly, and secondly, personally, then I don’t think you can make it at the highest level.”

Comments like these gesture that Clarke is anything but a man who is looking to walk away.

He’s commanding a level of buy-in that leaves no ambiguity. You’re in, or you’re out; simple and effective.

After the upcoming Ashes series, Australia’s race to the top of the world rankings gathers steam, with Tests against New Zealand and the West Indies.

Then there’s a tour to Sri Lanka next winter, and a trip to India the following autumn.

This leaves a pretty important strategic question for Clarke to answer.

He will have to be all-in if he does want to lead Australia back through that subcontinent swing, with a home series against South Africa thrown in between the two for good measure.

If not, he would have a responsibility to the side to call it a day with sufficient time for Steve Smith to make the captaincy his own before those tours.

Like the sight of Clarke at full flight coming down the track to a spinner, decisiveness and timing will be everything.