Clarke fit for first Test

Clarke (r) with captain Ricky Ponting

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Michael Clarke has declared himself fit for the first Test against West Indies next week after coming through a Sheffield Shield match with New South Wales.

The Australia vice-captain has missed plenty of action after aggravating a long-term back injury following the Ashes tour of England, and has gone through a slow rehabilitation.

However, after missing out in NSW's Ford Ranger Cup loss to Tasmania on Sunday, he took 232 minutes to compile a first innings century and then fielded for 58 overs in the four-day game against the same side.

"I'm obviously more confident now in just being able to bat for that amount of time and being able to wake up feeling pretty good is a positive," he said.

"It's good to spend some time in the middle, definitely. I think I needed the hit. I didn't feel that comfortable in the one-dayer the other day - I felt very scratchy - so it was good to spend some time in the middle.

"The confidence of getting back into the game and scoring some runs and having that 60 overs out in the field has given me a lot of confidence.

"I think I'm feeling more comfortable every day."

Clarke is also willing to bowl in the Test match if required, believing he must be ready to go in all areas of the game.

"I need to be able to give the team 100% because if I can't there is someone else there that can and will perform better than me," he added.

"I wouldn't dare go into a Test match not knowing if I could give 100% in all areas.

"I believe I have to be 100% in all facets to take the field for my country next week."