Australian skipper Ricky Ponting declared Michael Clarke a certain starter for the first Ashes Test on Thursday after the vice-captain proved his fitness with an extended training session at the Gabba on Wednesday.
Clarke, who had been struggling with an ongoing back problem, has batted freely in the two days prior to the opening day, and the Australians have been instilled with the confidence to name him in their side earlier than had been expected.
"It's a big game for us to go into at the start of the series, and we didn't want to go in with a cloud hanging over anybody; that was why he was asked to do as much batting as he did yesterday and that's why he did as much as he did today."
"We couldn't afford to leave any stone unturned there as far as his preparation was concerned, or testing him out with different things. He's done all the work that's been asked."
"His history is that he's had this type of back complaints for most of his career. I'm not sure if he's missed a game as a result of it," said Ponting.
"He gets through games, he pulls up a bit sore, he does all his recovery, then gets up again and plays. I'm not sure what the long term diagnosis for this one is, but I know that he's ready to go for this game, and we'll assess him (again) at the end of this game."
Ponting also named Doug Bollinger as the 'unlucky' Australian quick to be dropped from the squad of 13 with Mitchell Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle to carry the pace attack, while spinner Xavier Doherty will make his Test debut.
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