Clarke makes himself available

The National staff

• Last Updated: November 18. 2009 9:49PM UAE / November 18. 2009 5:49PM GMT

The Australia’s vice-captain, Michael Clarke, has declared himself a certain starter for next week’s first Test against the West Indies.

The batsman said his back caused him no problems as he made a century and then fielded during New South Wales’ Sheffield Shield match with Tasmania.

Clarke said: “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. I need to be able to give the team 100 per cent because if I can’t there is someone else there that can and will perform better than me.

“I wouldn’t dare go into a Test match not knowing if I could give 100 per cent in all areas.”

Meanwhile Shakib Al Hasan will become the first Bangladeshi to play county cricket in England after he agreed to join Worcestershire next year. “Shakib will fulfil the county’s overseas slot upon completion of the Bangladesh tour to England in mid- July 2010,” the club said yesterday.

Shakib, 22, tops the ICC all-rounders’ ranking list and has scored 2,047 runs at an average of 35.91 in 75 ODIs for Bangladesh and taken 83 wickets. “I consider it a huge honour to be the first Bangladeshi overseas player in county cricket and can’t wait to give my all for the club on the field,” said Shakib. “As an all-rounder I am thrilled and inspired to be joining the team once graced by Ian Botham, Imran Khan and Kapil Dev.”

Elsewhere Pakistan bowled a New Zealand Invitational XI out for 234 on the opening day of their three-day tour game in Queenstown. In reply, the tourists were 14 for one off nine overs by the close of play.

Earlier, New Zealand Test candidates Daniel Flynn and James Franklin fell just short of their 50s as Pakistan dominated the only game ahead of the first Test, which starts in Dunedin on Tuesday.

* With agencies