Spin-bowling has traditionally been a major factor in five-day matches at the SCG and Clarke said he thought that would also be the case for the 100th Test at the famous arena, if the sunshine that bathed the oval on Monday stuck around throughout the encounter.
With "a little bit of green" on the wicket, though, Clarke predicted that batting might be difficult on the first day or two.
While hoping that India's Sachin Tendulkar would be left waiting for his 100th international century until after the series was over so he could watch it on television, Clarke did not think it was a factor in the match.
"You have to try and get him out early, though, because if you don't, he's very destructive as we've seen over a long period of time," he said.
Team: Michael Clarke (captain), David Warner, Ed Cowan, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey, Brad Haddin, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Pattinson, Nathan Lyon.
India's Sachin Tendulkar bats in the nets during a practice session at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday
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