Tributes to the late Phillip Hughes at Adelaide Oval. Source: Getty Images

“He has left the ground for further assessment,” a Cricket Australia spokeswoman said, adding the captain was suffering considerable lower back pain.

Australia is 3 for 280.

4.19pm: Dave Warner is out for 145.

4.16pm: Michael Clarke’s future is again in doubt after the Australian skipper retired hurt with a back injury before tea at Adelaide Oval, Andrew Faulker writes.

Clarke (60 from 84 balls, nine fours) seemed destined to join David Warner on three figures when he was forced from the field on day one of the first Test.

The injury came from a seemingly innocuous incident in which Clarke barely moved under a high and wide Ishant Sharma bouncer.

After a long break in play, he walked gingerly from the field with the score on 206, and after adding 128 with Warner.

FULL REPORT: Clarke had no option but to retire

Runners are no longer allowed in world cricket, so Clarke had no option to retire, but he may resume batting later.

However that seems unlikely and the skipper must surely be in grave doubt for next week’s Brisbane Test and beyond.

At tea Australia was 2-238, with Warner on 131 (140 balls, 17b fours) and Steve Smith on 17 (23 balls, three fours) as India labours in tough conditions for bowlers.

Even without Clarke, the hosts appear destined for an imposing first innings total and a hard and true first Test strip.

Bringing up his century with a push to long-off, Warner completed the single while kissing the coat of arms on his helmet and staring to the heavens.

The 106-ball ton is all the more extraordinary as Warner was said to be struggling to deal with Phillip Hughes’ death more than some of his teammates.

YOU CAN FOLLOW ALL THE LIVE ACTION BELOW

3.48pm: Australian captain Michael Clarke is having urgent medical treatment after another flare-up of his long-term back injury.

Clarke was forced to retire hurt while batting against India on Tuesday’s opening day of the first Test in Adelaide.

Clarke overcame a torn hamstring suffered on November 14 to be declared fit for the Test.

He appeared untroubled by that injury throughout a stylish innings, making 60 in 84 minutes before his back failed him. Clarke instantly grimaced after ducking inside an Ishant Sharma bouncer which sailed down the leg side.

The 33-year-old then sank to his knees as team medicos raced on to the field.

Clarke attempted to loosen his back with some stretches but, after signalling he was having trouble turning his upper body, retired hurt.

The flare-up is the latest for Clarke who was first diagnosed with a degenerative back condition as a teenager.

Clarke has has three degenerative discs in his lower back.

3.40pm: Michael Clarke consults his medical team

Michael Clarke reacts to his back injury as he is tended to by Australia team doctor Peter Brukner, left, and physio Alex Kountouris. Source: Getty Images

3.30pm: MICHAEL Clarke has retired hurt just as he appeared destined to join Dave Warner in making a century on an emotional opening day of the Adelaide Test.

Clarke left the field on 60 (84 balls, nine fours) after a seemingly innocuous incident in which he winced in pain while watching an Ishant Sharma bouncer sail harmlessly over his head.

He received brief treatment for what appeared to be a lower back injury before walking gingerly from the field.

Steve Smith has replaced him at the crease with Australia on 2-206 and Dave Warner on 116 (123 balls, 16 fours).

Dave Warner posted what surely must be his greatest hundred as Australia builds a large first innings total on a hard and flat Adelaide pitch.

Bringing up his century with a push to long-off, Warner completed the single while kissing the coat of arms on his helmet and staring to the heavens.

The 106-ball ton is all the more extraordinary as Warner was said to be struggling to deal with Phillip Hughes’ death more than some of his teammates.

YOU CAN FOLLOW ALL THE LIVE ACTION BELOW | AFTERNOON RECAP HERE

1pm: LUNCH with Australia progressing almost at a run a minute, 2-113. Dave Warner in astonishing form in the first session of the series, going to the break on 77 off just 73 balls.

It has been an emotion-charged morning but Warner came out and played his natural game. If it hadn’t been for Ishant Sharma applying the brakes for India, Australia could have rocketed away.

You can read Andrew Faulkner’s full morning recap HERE.

David Warner looks to the skies after reaching 63 not out Picture Simon Cross/Getty Source: Getty Images

12.43pm: Did Dave Warner just do that on purpose? On 61 he paddles a full toss from debutant spinner Khan Sharma almost deliberately for two runs to take his score to 63 - the score on which Phillip Hughes fell in his final innings.

Certainly Warner was well aware of the significance of the moment as he again lifted his eyes skywards before going down on his haunches to compose himself. And then Clarke gets off the mark with a single to mid-off as Australia advances to 2-92.

12.40pm:WICKET! Shane Watson misjudges a square cut and chases a ball from Aaron and is well caught by Dhawan at second slip, his second catch. Loose shot from Watson and he trudges off for 14. Australia 2-88. Generous applause for Michael Clarke as he strides to the wicket, batting at No.4 in this Test not his preferred No,5 where he has been so prolific.

12.20pm:FIFTY for David Warner, brought up with successive boundaries off Varun Aaron.

Nine fours in his half century and only 45 balls required. Australia not going nearly so quickly now but still has advanced to 1-80. Warner raises his eyes heavenwards after reaching the milestone but by his standards it’s a subdued celebration.

12.05pm: Australia has opened explosively to race to 1-64 an hour into the first session of the first Test at Adelaide Oval.

Dave Warner hit the first ball he faced to the cover boundary before adding another five fours in the next 11 balls.

At drinks — and after just 11 overs — Warner is on 42 from just 34 balls (seven fours) and Shane Watson is on nine after Michael Clarke won the toss and elected to bat on Adelaide’s plum pitch.

You can read Andrew Faulkner’s full first session recap HERE.

11.55am: In the Sheffield Shield, Sean Abbott has returned to the crease and bowled a bouncer in his first over in the first session of NSW’s clash at the SCG after Queensland won the toss and elected to bat.

The match is the side’s first since the death of Phillip Hughes at the same venue two weeks ago. Abbott delivered the ball that felled Hughes and he was one of several NSW players in doubt for the clash.

11.45am: WICKET! Australia loses Chris Rogers for nine as the veteran left-hander nicks Ishant Sharma to second slip — 1-50 and Sharma has 1-1 off 1.5 overs. Shane Watson comes to the crease.

11.42: And there’s the 50 for Australia off only 45 balls as Warner turns Ishant Sharma to leg for a single. Warner has 38 of them.

Now Rogers joins in the fun, straight drives Shami for four to take Australia to 0-49 but great response from the bowler as he rips the next delivery straight past the defensive bat.

11.35am: Wow! How’s that for defusing the spearhead of the Indian attack? Varun Aaron replaced after just two overs for 23 runs. Dave Warner just a couple of lusty blows away from a half-century with barely half an hour’s play gone.

Just noticed in all the excitement. All of the Australian team’s bats are lined up along the fence in front of the Bradman Stand, saluting Hughes. But what’s this? Ishant Sharma takes over from Aaron and bowls a maiden over to Warner. Goodness, we’re back to playing Test cricket.

David Warner of Australia ducks the first bouncer of the innings bowled by Varun Aaron. Source: Getty Images

11.25am: This is ridiculous. Another two fours by Warner as he delights in his first taste of Sharmi’s bowling. Five fours off his first nine deliveries. Just as well the players are wearing their creams. Otherwise we might think this was a T20 international. Whoops, four more. Phillip Hughes, you have to be watching this!

11.20am: Now it’s Dave Warner’s turn to face the music and what a magnificent response. He cracks the first delivery he receives from Varun Aaron straight through the covers for four. He’s driving again off the second ball, too, but picks out the man at mid-off. No question now about Warner’s mindset.

The high backlift says it all. Which probably explains why Aaron slips him the yorker. But then he drops a just short of a length and Warner slashes him to the backward point boundary. The tension mounts. Still not one ball short. Maybe there should be one because Warner now helps himself to a third boundary with another slash to the fence before easing the last ball of the over out into the covers for a single. Warner to 13 off seven deliveries. with a no-ball thrown in there.

David Warner (L) Brad Haddin, Barry Rees and Michael Clarke (R) clap for 63 seconds during the tribute to the late Phillip Hughes. Source: Getty Images

11.05am: Right armer Mohammed Shami to open from the River Torrens end to bowl to Chris Rogers. Three slips, gully and short leg. First ball is well pitched up. So much for opening the Test with a bouncer.

First runs for Australia with Chris Rogers turning the second ball down to fine leg for two. Third ball, the left-hander completely forgets to use his feet and lunges awkwardly at the ball. Interesting that Shami has decided to bowl around the wicket. Fifth ball nips back in and strikes Rogers on the thighguard. Now Sharmi switches to over the wicket. Well, who would have thought that? Not a bouncer to be seen in the opening over.

10.59am: More than 10,000 in to watch the first ball of the Test summer bowled. It seems to have been a long, long time coming. And the question on everyone’s kips: Will it be a bouncer?

Say a little prayer for David Warner. He was an eyewitness at the SCG when Phillip Hughes was felled and he has really struggled to prepare himself emotionally for this Test. Good thing he had Chris Rogers with his. The little left-hander is a rock. But India has picked all its fastest bowlers and they’ll be coming very hard at them.

Michael Clarke wipes away tears during the tribute to the late Phillip Hughes. Source: Getty Images

Umpires Marais Erasmus and Ian Gould striding out. A lot of responsibility on their shoulders in this Test because there’s no Decision Review System. Pressure’s on. Warner the first player out. Beats everyone to the wicket block. Rogers in fact stops 20m short and rests on his bat waiting for the Indians to break from their huddle.

10.55am: Indian players-stand by side during their anthem but Australians link arms, Wallabies-style, for Advance Australian Fair. Outstanding rendition. Emotional start to the day. Now comes the tricky part for Dave Warner and Chris Rogers, the Australian openers, getting their emotions under control before they confront the new ball.

10.47am: A ceremony to celebrate the life of Phillip Hughes is about to get underway as the teams file onto the field. Players from both teams wearing black armbands.

There is a tribute to Hughes from Richie Benaud on the big screen.

“Phillip Hughes, forever. Rest in peace, son.” Then followed 63 seconds of applause to honour Hughes. Has any Australian batsman ever received such a sustained ovation at this ground? Evocative sounds of didgeridoos echo over the ground. Now comes the Indian national anthem.

The match is the first game Australia are playing since the death of Hughes.

“What I know my little buddy would want is going out and playing cricket,” captain Michael Clarke said.

“The boys are going as well as they possibly can, I think everyone’s keen to play some cricket.”

PREVIEW: Indian quicks in all-out assault

Shadow of Sachin hanging over DRS

Team makes pact to honour Phillip Hughes

First Test bouncer will tell story

10.40am: Karn Sharma has in fact been handed his Test debut for India. Word is he is a brilliant leggie in the making but there is no question the Australian batsmen will put him to the test early. Still, he’s no rookie at 27.

The big surprise is that off spinner Ravi Ashwin has been left out along with paceman Umesh Yadav. But exciting young paceman Varun Aaron will be let loose on the Australian openers.

A reminder, Michael Clarke won the toss and elected to bat.

10.32am: Clarke wins the toss and, no surprise, elects to bat.

Clarke names Phillip Hughes as Australia’s 13th man. “He’ll be with us the whole way.”

Clarke has four centuries and two double centuries on this ground, for an average of 98. But, as he says, he starts from zero today.

Meanwhile, it is just as well Ian Healy is commentating for Channel Nine not keeping wicket for Australia. He’s out in the middle with his left leg in a moon boot. Broken foot, apparently.

10.23am: Ishant Sharma is marking out his run so it’s a fair bet he’s going to be part of the attack. Not that there was ever much doubt given he’s capable of 150kph-plus. But exciting whispers that leg spinner Karn Sharma is going to be given a surprise start.

Big moment coming up for Virat Kohli, his first toss as Indian Test captain. He won over the Australian crowds on India’s last tour here and he’ll certainly keep them if, as promised, he lets his natural attacking instincts flow.

Kohli strides out clutching a sheet of paper. Either he’s got his field placements already down pat or he’s penned a few stirring words for his troops.

10.20am: The Adelaide Oval pitch looks full of runs. This will be a good toss to win. Conversely, given that the Australian batsmen could find it more difficult to concentrate on an emotional morning following the pre-match ceremony to honour Phillip Hughes, bowling first might actually help Michael Clarke’s team settle down.

The crowd is building steadily and there are probably about 7000 in so far which means there’s room for 40,000 more in this stunningly redeveloped Adelaide Oval.

Darren Lehmann promised in his column in The Australian it would be an amazing day’s play.

Fast bowling great Brett Lee says some of Australia’s players are “still struggling” following the tragic death of Hughes.

“A few of the guys are still struggling,” Lee told the Nine network.

“But I’m sure once they put on that baggy green cap, I’m sure that Phil will be with them.

“The game must go on — I think that’s what Phil would’ve wanted.”

The number 408, the Test Cap number of the late Phillip Hughes was painted on the pitch at Adelaide Oval. Source: Getty Images

10am: Stunning sunshine for the opening day of the series between Australia and India. A great seeing day, as Phillip Hughes would have said.

Aussies warming up respectfully to the side of the “408” painted on the turf in front of the Members Stand. Michael Clarke is getting some practice taking boundary catches because he won’t be fielding in slips.

A reminder of the teams:

Australia: Chris Rogers, Dave Warner, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke (capt), Steven Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon. Josh Hazlewood (12th man)

India (possible): M Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (capt), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddiman Saha, R Ashwin, Varun Aaron, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami.

The rescheduled first Test, which gets underway at the Adelaide Oval this morning, will be one of the most emotionally-charged sporting fixtures to ever be played in this country.

The tragic death of Hughes, who was 63 not out when he was struck by a Sean Abbott bouncer at the SCG in a Sheffield Shield match a fortnight ago, has triggered a remarkable outpouring of emotion around the globe.

The Australian team will wear his 408 Test number beneath the crest on their shirts and Hughes has been names as 13th man. The number 408 will also be painted on the oval.

Both sides will observe a pre-match video tribute to Hughes narrated by iconic cricketer and broadcaster Richie Benaud and spectators will then be asked to stand for 63 seconds of applause.

But, as captain Clarke remarked during his emotional eulogy at the funeral, “we must play on”, with Australia keen to bat first in the rearranged first test.

A drained Clarke, who has been passed fit to lead the side, was excused from his pre-match press responsibilities, with Mitchell Johnson taking his place and the left-armer suggested Australia wanted to make first use of the Adelaide Oval drop-in pitch.

Australian quick Mitchell Johnson says the entire team is proud to wear Phillip Hughes' number during the first Test against India. Australian skipper Michael Clarke has been ruled fit for the game.

“If we win the toss I think we’re going to bat. It’s a really good wicket,” said Johnson.

“Everyone’s really keen to get out there and play some cricket now. That’s our goal and I guess we’re going to wait and see how we all feel because we’re all going to feel a little bit different but I’m really looking forward to going out there. It’s a good place to play. I know that as a bowling unit, we’re sticking together and we’re all ready to go.”

Johnson says he is ready to use the short ball and India captain Virat Kohli — who is standing in for the injured M S Dhoni — says it is to be expected.

“I don’t think that’s even a thing for debate,” he said. “It is a part of cricket. It’s every bowler’s right to utilise it and with our plans and what we have in mind we will make use of it in the game. It’s there to be used.”

Sean Abbott is back bowling during a NSW Sheffield Shield training session. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia

But focus, too, will be on the Sheffield Shield as fixtures resume.

NSW will take on Queensland at the SCG while South Australia head to Blundstone Arena for their match with Tasmania.

Both matches were only confirmed to go ahead on Sunday after NSW and South Australian officials consulted with their players. NSW have named a 12-man squad, which includes Abbott, however coach Trevor Bayliss has not ruled out making last-minute changes if any of his players decide they are not up to it.

While there has been an outpouring of support for Abbott and concerns for his welfare, Bayliss on Monday hinted the allrounder was likely to play.

Players from South Australia and NSW turned out for their grade cricket clubs on the weekend to test where they were at ahead of the Shield clash.

South Australia’s Adam Zampa, Kane Richardson and Daniel Worrall subsequently ruled themselves out of the match.

NSW will pay tribute to Hughes for the rest of the season by wearing “PJH 707” on their playing shirts, a reference to Hughes being the state’s 707th representative.