Hobart: Australia captain Michael Clarke shrugged off fears over his fitness Friday, claiming he was more concerned about time in the middle as the World Cup heads towards the knockout rounds.

Clarke only had a gentle practice session at the Bellerive Oval on Thursday as his teammates sprinted, prompting suggestions that he was still struggling with his long-standing hamstring injury. "I certainly am fit," Clarke insisted on the eve of Australia's concluding Pool A match against Scotland.