Clarke spoke on Saturday of his reported off-field issues during a Sydney grade match for Western Suburbs against Gordon, his first step back to proving his fitness following hamstring surgery in December.

The 33-year-old made 51, batting for almost three hours at No 3.

Clarke claimed the isolation of rehabilitation and the focus on his recovery hadn't driven a wedge between him and the Australian squad.

"It certainly hasn't been for me, it seems like it might have been for a few other people and I'm not talking about my teammates or the Cricket Australia staff," said Clarke at Chatswood Oval.

"I've enjoyed watching the boys have success and like any injured player you want to get on the park and play for your country.

"And that's why I'm still playing this great game, because I love playing for my country and I love playing for NSW and Western Suburbs."

Following Steve Smith's successful stint as Test and one-day skipper, speculation suggested Clarke's bid to prove his fitness created angst amongst the squad.

But Clarke, who has been given until the second pool match against Bangladesh on February 21 to prove his fitness for the World Cup, says he is unconcerned about the rumours.

"I'm not going to get into it. It seems like some people in particular are going to write what they want to write," he said.

"I'm really happy and comfortable with my relationship with Cricket Australia firstly and certainly with my teammates.

"It's water off a duck's back for me, I've copped it my whole career. It's another day, another newspaper sold."

Clarke appeared scratchy at times in his comeback match but eventually found his groove and was grateful to get some time in the middle.

He added his rehabilitation was continuing ahead of schedule.

The next step in Clarke's recovery is to play in a Cricket Australia XI against Bangladesh in Brisbane on Friday. AAP