Harbhajan Singh would be 'very hard' to face: Michael Clarke

Australia captain Michael Clarke today admitted that off-spinner Harbhajan Singh would be the toughest customer to face among Indian bowlers when the two teams lock horns in the first Test of the four-match series, starting here tomorrow.

Clarke also congratulated Harbhajan who is set to complete a century of Test appearances tomorrow.

"Firstly I think that is great for Harbhajan (playing in his 100th Test). On behalf of the Australian team, we congratulate him. It's a very special achievement. He is going to be very hard to face among all the Indian bowlers but we have our plans to win this Test," Clarke told reporters at the pre-match post conference.

Lavishing praise on Harbhajan, Clarke said he has always shared a good relationship with the veteran off-spinner on and off the field.

"He has been a wonderful player. I always had a very good relationship with Harbhajan. I have faced challenges on the field as he is a very good bowler. He has played Test matches against the best players and I am sure that this Test is not going to be different," he added.

With 408 wickets from 99 Tests at an average of 32.27 and a strike-rate of 68.1, Harbhajan has been one of India's most prolific bowlers even though he has been going through a tough phase for quite sometime now.

Harbhajan, interestingly, found fame after single-handedly demolishing the Australians in the famous 2001 series, picking up 32 wickets from three Tests.

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