Injury setback for Smith ahead of Tests

Steve Smith has picked up a quad strain and been ruled out of tomorrow's Bupa Sheffield Shield match but is still likely to play for Australia in the first Commonwealth Bank Test against India, Cricket Australia have announced.

Smith was scanned in Sydney this morning after reporting soreness following last night's two-wicket win against South Africa in the fifth and final Carlton Mid ODI Series match.

Bupa Support Team Chief Medical Officer, John Orchard, said: "Steve's scan showed a low grade quadriceps muscle strain and has been ruled out of tomorrow's New South Wales Bupa Sheffield Shield game in Sydney as a result.

"His current prognosis is that he is likely to be fit to play in the first Test in Brisbane in the middle of next week.

"He will stay in Sydney for further physiotherapy treatment and assessment over the rest of the week."

Australia's man of the series from the one-day matches against South Africa told Wide World of Sports' Mark Nicholas he was "a little bit stiff in my hips and my quads" after the match.

"Hopefully I’ll be right, I’ll pull up okay tomorrow and I’ll be fine," Smith added.

"I can’t wait to get back out there with the red ball. It’s very exciting again.

"The whole summer’s coming around and I’m looking forward to the series against India."

Smith was expected to be part of a star-studded Sheffield Shield round with all six state sides fielding internationals.

Australia's 12-man squad for the first Test, which starts on December 4, was announced earlier today.

However, a batsman will take Michael Clarke's spot in the XI if the captain is unable to prove he's ready for the Gabba.

"We're not naming anyone just yet. Whether or not we have one, that's for us to know and you to find out and I'm not telling you," chief selector Rod Marsh said.

Marsh noted there was a lack of depth when it came to Australian batsmen.

"It'd be nice to have 10 young batsmen vying for one spot, that would be nice," he said.

"That's not where it is at the moment. When you think about it, it probably never is there."

While Smith fights to overcome his quad injury and Clarke battles his hamstring complaint, CA have also rested pace trio Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Josh Hazlewood. The other seven members of Australia's Test squad will play Shield games this week.

The NSW Blues host the West End Redbacks at the SCG, while the myFootDr Queensland Bulls take on the Tasmanian Tigers at Allan Border Field.

Shaun Marsh will play alongside brother Mitch when the Alcohol.Think Again Western Warriors face the Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers at the MCG.