Quicks the key for the Australia says Clarke

The dark art of reverse swing, rather than spin, is shaping as Australia's biggest weapon as it strives for victory in the first Test against India at the MCG.

That was the assessment of batsman Michael Clarke, who made a polished 73 on Friday as Australia set India a record 499 for victory on days four and five of the game.

Clark said reverse swing, the method of attack which England used with great effect in its 2005 Ashes success, would 'play a big part' once the ball got older and softer.

And Australia, in Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark, had three quicks who were capable of capitalising on it, he said.

"When the ball is reverse swinging, it is very hard to face the fast bowlers because you're not sure which way the ball's going," Clarke said.

"The advantage I think the Australian quicks have is they can swing it both ways when it's reversing."

"I don't know if there's too many bowlers in the world that do it as well the three Aussies we have."

"I think we're in really good hands tomorrow once the ball starts reversing."

But spinner Brad Hogg, playing in his first Test in more than four years, still had a role to play, Clarke said.

"If he's not taking wickets he can definitely tie up one end to give the quicks the opportunity," he said.

Clarke believes that batting was at times difficult on the MCG wicket, which he said was still firm thus decreasing the likelihood of balls staying lower than expected.

"I think it's really hard to start your innings. Seems like once the ball gets a little bit older, a bit softer, it gets pretty difficult to score so you've got to be as patient as possible," he said.

"Like I say, there's going to be very tough periods throughout the game (for India on Saturday). Once the ball gets soft they're going to find it hard to score."

But Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh, who reached his 250-wicket milestone on Friday, said the tourists would come out swinging rather than play for a draw.

"We are here to win the series. We are not looking to draw the match. We'll try our best and win this game. We're going to give it our best shot," he said.

"Obviously it's a stiff target, but I won't say it's not achievable. With the kind of batting line-up we have and if you play to our potential anything can happen."