Captain Michael Clarke has surprisingly taken the field after Australia declared 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.

The skipper didn’t take part in Australia’s warm-up drills ahead of the third day’s play but took the field when play started.

But Clarke has shifted from his usual slot in slips, fielding at midoff.