Watson says will be 'extremely surprised' if Clarke fails to hit ton for Hughes in first Test

Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has said that if captain Michael Clarke does not score a ton in honour of late batsman Phillip Hughes during the first Test against India, he would be extremely surprised.

Clarke, who has been declared fit to play, having overcome a hamstring injury, has won praise for his composure since the sudden passing of his 'little brother', fronting the media on behalf of the Hughes family and delivering a touching eulogy at the late batsman's funeral in Macksville last week.

But as the focus now shifts to the first Test at Adelaide Oval, teammate Watson said that the captain was ready to play. He said that Clarke was running around the field with no problems on Sunday, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Watson said that there would be no doubt that Clarke would be ready to go in such an emotional Test match. He added that he would be extremely surprised if the skipper didn't peel off another hundred because he's certainly got a lot to play for, as they all do.

Watson praised his skipper's constant support for Hughes' family and his strength in the face of such severe personal loss.