Updated: Smith given the nod to lead

Update:

Steve Smith has been named Australia's new vice-captain and will skipper against India this summer with Brad Haddin as his deputy.

Earlier:

Australia's 45th Test captain is set to be announced later today with Steven Smith emerging as a front-running candidate for the role after Michael Clarke ruled himself out of taking any further part in the Commonwealth Bank Test Series against India.

Clarke endorsed Brad Haddin to take over the reins for the summer and the 37-year-old wicketkeeper, as Clarke's deputy, was considered a frontrunner for the role.

However, Clarke's absence for the remaining three Tests could have swayed Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel (NSP) to take a longer-term view and look towards the future. 

The Cricket Australia Board must ratify any decision regarding the captaincy, and the NSP, led by chairman Rod Marsh, put forward their recommendation on Sunday.

The Board discussed the issue on Sunday night, with an announcement to come today.

Quick Single: Clarke endorses Haddin as skipper

Haddin is Australia's vice-captain and led the side admirably during the thrilling final session of the first Test at Adelaide Oval when Clarke went off the field injured.

Haddin has captained NSW and at age 37 has a wide range of experience to call on.

Clarke's career hangs in the balance after he injured his right hamstring in the field on Saturday, with the 33-year-old saying after Australia's victory that he may never play again.

Australia's Bupa Support Team coach Darren Lehmann was aloof on Sunday when quizzed about who would lead the side in place of hamstrung Clarke.

"We have to talk about that," Lehmann said.

"We will have to work that out as a selection panel and then go to the board and see what they say."

CA's executive general manager team performance, Pat Howard, was more forthright

"I will be applying to the Board for Brad Haddin to be the captain of Australia. Nice and simple," Howard said last month, when Clarke was set to miss the first Test.

Australia will train later this afternoon in Brisbane, with Mitchell and Shaun Marsh set to become the first brothers to play for Australia since Steve and Mark Waugh in Sharjah in October 2002.

Lehmann and fellow selectors are mulling over whether to add fresh faces Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc to Australia's pace attack for the second Test, which starts on Wednesday.

Quick Single: Possible second Test changes for Australia

Ryan Harris, making his Test return after major knee surgery, slogged through a total of 40 overs in Adelaide.

Peter Siddle was unwell in the first innings, and bowled only nine overs in the second dig.