Sydney, Jan 13 (IANS): Former Australian Test cricketer Michael Hussey has said that injured captain Michael Clarke should have been given two more weeks time to recover rather than the deadline of Feb 21 by the selectors, when the Aussies take on Bangladesh in their second group encounter in the World Cup.

"The World Cup is about starting slowly, building momentum and doing enough to get through to the quarter-finals and semi-finals. You want to be playing your best cricket, with your best players, at the back end of the tournament, not so much at the start," Hussey was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.

The 39-year-old, nicknamed Mr. Cricket also believes that he would like Clarke to play the business end of the tournament even if he misses the first few group encounters as the Aussies would require his wealth of experience.

"I'd be happy for Michael to miss the first four games," said Hussey, a World Cup winner in 2007.

"He's obviously a very important player, he's the captain, he has a lot of experience, he's played World Cups - we need him. He should be given as much time as possible to get himself right and carried for as long as possible,” he added.

Clarke had severely injured his right hamstring playing against India, in the first Test that started Dec 9. He underwent a successful surgery, and is now recovering.