Australia captain Michael Clarke will put himself through another boot camp and play his first club cricket game for several years in preparation for the home series against South Africa.

NSW skipper Clarke played in the Blues’ first two Sheffield Shield games of the season, scoring a half century against WA in Perth and making 22 and 37 against Tasmania in Sydney.

However, NSW will not play a first-class game in October as the Sydney Sixers will be in South Africa competing in the Champions League T20 tournament.

Their next Shield game won’t be until the first week of November, just a week before the opening Test against South Africa.

Clarke, who put himself through a boot camp before last summer’s international program, will put himself through another to ensure he is in prime condition.

“I go away Monday morning for a couple of weeks, I’m going on another boot camp, me and my trainer,” Clarke told reporters on Saturday.

“I’ll be trying to get as fit and strong as I possibly can in preparation for the start of the Australian summer.

“Then I will be back playing club cricket hopefully for Western Suburbs,” added Clarke who couldn’t recall playing at that level for three to four years.

While disappointed he didn’t capitalise on his starts in Sydney, Clarke felt he was in decent nick.

“I am disappointed, but feel like I’m hitting the ball sweet,” Clarke said.

Opposing captain Tim Paine of Tasmania was equally disappointed at getting out for 23 and 40 and squandering a start like many of his teammates.

Playing his first game for Tasmania in almost two years, Test wicketkeeper Paine was satisfied his previously injured finger had stood up to the strain of a four-day game.

“It’s good enough, it’s not going to get any better than what it is now,” Paine said.

“Been getting better with every game. I think it’s more of a mental thing now and it is what it is.”