Clarke fit for opening tri-series match

Michael Clarke will be fit to play for Australia in their opening tri-series ODI against the West Indies, captain Ricky Ponting said on Thursday.

Batsman Michael Clarke will be fit to play for Australia in their opening tri-series limited overs international against the West Indies, captain Ricky Ponting said on Thursday.

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Clarke had been hampered by a foot injury, but moved freely at Thursday's training session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the venue for Friday's match.

"Clarkey is fine, he got through training particularly well yesterday," Ponting said. "We were waiting to see how he pulled up this morning and he was fine again.

"He trained right through today and was fine again and will play."

Fellow Australian batsman Simon Katich remains in doubt with a virus.

If Katich is ruled out, either Clarke or Damien Martyn will open the batting with Adam Gilchrist in the absence of regular opener Matthew Hayden who is being rested.

A decision on Katich's fitness will be made on Friday morning.