Michael Clarke made 64 captaining Australia as they thrashed the United Arab Emirates by 188 runs in their final World Cup warm-up game in Melbourne.
The 33-year-old batsman was making his international return from a two-month layoff with what he had initially feared would be a career-ending hamstring injury.
Clarke promoted himself to open the batting and top-scored as the Aussies posted 304-8, with Aaron Finch and Steve Smith also making half-centuries.
Smith has been captaining the Test side since Clarke withdrew from the series against India in December and either he or George Bailey were expected to skipper the one-day international team if Clarke continued to be absent.
However, after emerging unscathed through their fielding innings, which saw the UAE bowled out for 116, and two overs of his left-arm spin, Clarke is now in contention for Australia's World Cup opener against England on Saturday.
