Captain Michael Clarke will be absent when Australia take the field after declaring against India in the first Test in Adelaide.

The Australians called a halt to their first innings on their overnight score of 7-517, leaving Steve Smith unbeaten on 162, his highest Test score.

The Indians will start batting on the Thursday’s third day of play under clear blue skies, with no sign of rain which disrupted play on Wednesday.

Rain and bad light restricted the second day to 30.4 overs, with Thursday’s play to start half an hour earlier to make up some of the lost time.

There are no showers forecast today, with 120 overs scheduled.

Clarke, despite battling a flare-up of his back injury, made 128 after retiring hurt on the opening day.

But the skipper didn’t take part in Australia’s warm-up drills ahead of the third day’s play.

His participation for the remainder of the series, which continues with the second Test in Brisbane from December 17, is in doubt.

Clarke, who has three degenerative discs in his lower back, was restricted in his movements while batting yet still posted his 28th Test ton, and seventh in 16 Test knocks at Adelaide Oval.