Clarke predicts a century at Sydney,but from Ponting

And while Indian fans will undoubtedly be praying for Sachin Tendulkar to score an elusive 100th international century,Clarke,inevitably,wished Tendulkar to get his hundred after the series. I hope his 100 doesnt come until the next series because Id love to watch it on television, he said.

While acknowledging Tendulkars mastery,Clarke believed the conditions at the SCG could test him out. I think theres going to be enough in the wicket. Theres a tinge of green there; its a little bit tacky at the moment. I think its going to be quite tough to bat on day one but the sunshine obviously helps.

Clarke,like everyone else,was praiseful of his young fast bowler James Pattinson but wanted everyone to remember the others were equally good.

Patto is only just starting. He’s a wonderful talent,don’t get me wrong. Id hate to see us put extra pressure on him.Hes got a good crew around him as well. Let’s not forget that. Pattos got the results over the last few Tests but without the way Peter Siddle has been bowling; Ryan Harris over the last couple of years; Ben Hilfenhaus the other day even Pat Cummins when he came in in South Africa,I think were building a good crew of fast bowlers and they’re all as vital as each other. I don’t think there’s one in my opinion who is above the rest.

Toss not so important

Despite his prediction on how the pitch will play on the opening day,Clarke didnt want to worry too much about winning the toss. I dont think its going to be important at all to be honest. Theres going to be enough there for the bowlers on day one but Im not concerned about the toss at all, said the Sydney born Clarke,who emphasised that the venue had changed its character lately.

Conditions have probably changed a little bit over the last few years,no doubt the way I was brought up on this wicket it was spin conducive, Clarke said. I faced a lot of spin as a kid,Id seen a fair bit of reverse swing at a young age and generally this wicket is a little bit slower than say Perth and Brisbane and what weve just seen in Melbourne. But the last couple of years its quickened up a bit,theres been enough there for the bowlers swing and seam and you need to try and adapt to that, he added.

Clarke also gave a big thumbs up to off-spinner Nathabn Lyon. This series is a tough challenge for Lyono because India are such good players of spin bowling,I thought he did a pretty good job without getting as many wickets as he would have liked in the last Test match in Melbuorne.

Fans vent anger as Team India shoo them away

The Indian team management asked the authorities at the SCG to keep fans at bay during their intensive net session on Monday afternoon. A huge crowd was present at the ground during Australia’s net session on Monday morning,but as soon as the Indians arrived the SG authorities slowly started to clear the gathering. Though the Indian team media manager GS Walia denied any such move by the visitors and the authorities seemed reluctant to come on record on the matter,the fans vented out their frustration at not being able to watch their heroes. There is immense pressure on Indian batsmen to sort out their problems ahead of the second Test,and the move could be seen as a step to help the visitors concentrate more during the nets. PTI