Cricket: Clarke fully fit for first test

Michael Clarke inspects the pitch during an Australian nets session at Adelaide Oval. Photo / Getty Images

Fears of another Michael Clarke hamstring twang are the last thing on the mind of Mitchell Johnson, one of many to marvel at the captain's recent leadership.

Clarke proved his fitness on the weekend and will play the first Test against India, which starts on Tuesday at Adelaide Oval.

The 33-year-old has been a tower of strength for Phillip Hughes' family and teammates, as the Australian cricket community mourns the desperately unlucky death of a man in his prime.

Prior to the first Test's postponement, Clarke was slated to miss the game due to a third hamstring setback since August.

However Clarke ran well and batted without incident on Saturday and Sunday, with physio Alex Kountouris and selectors satisfied to the point of releasing shadow batsman Shaun Marsh for Sheffield Shield duties.

"He has been working really hard out there. I've got no worries at all," Johnson said of Clarke's left hamstring.

"He's said he's 100 per cent fit and you go by that.

"There's going to be no fears at all.

"He's always been a hard worker. You've got to put trust in him."

Clarke was cast in a poor light during the first Test of the 2013-14 Ashes when he told James Anderson to "get ready for a broken f***ing arm".

But public opinion has completely turned over the past fortnight, since the death of Hughes.

Clarke fronted the press on behalf of Hughes' family and the national team, then delivered a touching tribute at the funeral.

Clarke, a close friend of Hughes, has earned widespread praise for being so mentally strong in a time of much trauma.

"I've definitely seen a different side to him," Johnson said.

"It has been an emotional roller-coaster and how strong he has been (has been impressive).

"We need him out there in this tough series."

Johnson explained Clarke "just has something about him when he's out there as captain".

"Everyone listens," he said, filling in for grief-stricken Clarke in the pre-match press conference.

"We just want him to score runs and be that aggressive captain."

Shane Watson suggested on Monday there was "no doubt he'll be ready to go in such an emotional Test"

"I'd be extremely surprised if he didn't peel off another hundred because he's certainly got a lot to play for, as we all do," Watson told the Nine Network.

- AAP