Australian captain Michael Clarke is expected to bat against India on day two of the first Test in Adelaide.

Clarke retired hurt on 60 on the opening day with a flare-up of his chronic back injury.

The skipper, who has three degenerative discs in his lower back, was sent for scans and had injections to soothe inflammation.

Some 90 minutes before the start of Wednesday’s play, Clarke was batting in nets to test his back.

The 33-year-old faced a succession of short balls thrown at him by team staff and appeared largely untroubled by the ailment.

Australia will resume at 6-354 with Steve Smith unbeaten on 72 and Mitchell Johnson yet to face a ball.