Clark: Australia are ready

Ricky Ponting (right) will be desperate for Stuart Clark to recapture form in Australia

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Australia paceman Stuart Clark has backed Michael Clarke and Brett Lee to be fit and firing for Thursday’s opening Test with New Zealand.

The duo have successfully rejoined the Australia squad after returning from India where they battled illness, but inclement weather in Brisbane has hampered preparations for the match.

Lee and Clarke took part in a morning training session at Cricket Australia's centre of excellence, but heavy rainfall initially prevented the pair from playing in the nets today.

The side was set to make a switch in training venues to the Gabba, where they would have access to indoor facilities, but those plans were cancelled and training was rescheduled for the afternoon.

Rain temporarily cleared and Lee and Clarke were then put through their paces, with both making it through the session unscathed.

Clark was confident the two key members of the squad will be ready to go.

"I think he's (Lee) fine from what I can gather, I haven't heard anything untoward, he's ready to go and he had his boots on before the rain unfortunately stopped him," he said.

Clark was dismissive of media reports that vice-captain Clarke had lost six kilograms while suffering from a virus.

"He's good, apparently he lost six kilos, but I'm not sure if that's quite true, he's looking pretty good to me, he'll be ready to go come Thursday," the paceman added.

The wet weather came on the back of destructive storms over the weekend and further rain is predicted this week.

Clark said the weather-enforced disruption was unfortunate, especially with the first Test only three days away, but saw the rain in a positive light, believing it could be a plus when it came to the condition of the Gabba pitch.

Clark refused to enter the debate surrounding the recalled Queensland all-rounder Andrew Symonds

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"It can't be a bad thing for the bowlers I would have thought, I'd imagine it's a bit lively," he added.

"I watched a little bit of the Twenty20 game the other night and it looked like it had good pace and bounce and I suppose the moisture can only help that.

"If the weather keeps going this way, there's bound to be a little bit of grass on it, so I think pacemen will be useful on that wicket."

The 33-year-old suffered an elbow injury during the recent tour to India, but was confident that he was now back to full fitness.

"It's all better, I'm assuming it's 100%, I haven't particularly done much after India because I've been at home and we haven't had much time, but I'm looking forward to getting out there,” he added.

"It's going to be a good game come Thursday because we're all looking forward to it and really keen to get out there and show the world we're a force to be reckoned with."

Clark refused to join the debate which suggested selectors should pick both all-rounders Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson for the game.

"It's one of those things, I think Shane did a good job in India, it's a tough call, whoever misses out, it'll be tough on them,” he said.

"Let's hope it's not me, but we'll have to wait and see - pace has obviously been very successful up here in the past."