Tip-top Clarke has Australia firing

The biggest question concerning Australia's World Cup build-up was answered emphatically by Michael Clarke at the MCG today, with the returning skipper appearing unhampered in top scoring with a classy 64 in his side's 188-run thrashing of the United Arab Emirates.

Inevitably though, Clarke's vitality at the crease – he ran some sharp singles, pushed twos, and even managed to turn and scamper back to his crease to avoid being run out at one point – raises another question: does he play against England on Saturday?

And while the answer to that one remains known only to the National Selection Panel, common sense would suggest that the careful management of Clarke's much-documented comeback will continue, and whatever risk may be attached to him running out on Saturday will be avoided.

Such is the importance of the skipper in Australia's middle order, a fact that was rammed home today, albeit from the top of the order, as the 33-year-old offered a timely reminder of his sublime one-day skills.

"He played really well, which is nice to see after coming back from the hamstring," coach Darren Lehmann told Fox Sports.

"He played well last week as well, so a good result for him today.

"Probably the fielding is going to be the big thing (in terms of testing his hamstring).

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Clarke turns more runs to leg // Getty Images 

"He's been batting really well for the last couple of weeks, so no dramas there.

"We'll see how he goes in the field, but really pleased with that start and he's been really confident."

Clarke had the first say in proceedings when he tossed the coin, it landed in his favour and he told his opposite number Mohammad Tauqir that Australia would have a bat.

His partner Aaron Finch was understandably the quicker of the two to click into gear, after the skipper played out a maiden first up from UAE paceman Mohammad Naveed.

He was then perhaps a touch fortunate to survive when he lashed a wide offering from Naveed to the left of cover, who dove impressively to his left but couldn't pull off what would have been a stunning grab.

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Clarke stretches to make his ground // Getty Images

It was little more than a half chance and from there, Australia's openers went tit for tat in the scoring, punching gaps and finding the fence fairly routinely as both ticked along at around a run a ball.

Finch beat his skipper to the 50 mark, lofting a six from off-spinner Nasir Aziz over long on moments later, before Clarke also reached his milestone, from 46 deliveries.

Both were out a short time later, in almost identical circumstances as they looked to clear long on once again and were caught by Shaiman Anwar from Aziz, who was rewarded for his preparedness to give the ball some air on occasions.

Shane Watson (34) and Steve Smith (59) occupied the second phase of the innings, though Watson will have been frustrated by his inability to capitalise on another solid start. He too went the way of the openers, hitting Tauqir to long on as Australia lost their third wicket.

Smith continued his superb form and his quick scoring allowed George Bailey to settle in and find a rhythm.

The Tasmanian utilised the time on his hands to judge the pace of the wicket before he set about expanding his scoring but came undone in the way of three of his teammates, holing out to long on.

And when Brad Haddin (5) dragged on attempting to hit out, and last-start centurion Glenn Maxwell was yet another batsman to pick out long on, it was up to Mitchell Johnson (12 not out)and Pat Cummins (one not out) to push Australia beyond 300 in the final three overs.

Australia: Michael Clarke (capt), Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Steve Smith, George Bailey, Mitch Marsh, Brad Haddin, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Johnson, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty