Ducks and drakes surround captain Clarke's quest Michael Clarke's progress with his injury is unclear. Michael Clarke's ambitious quest to be fit for the first Test against India resulted in an elaborate game of ducks and drakes unfolding in Sydney grade cricket on Saturday. As the selectors met to pick the squad, Clarke's club, Western Suburbs, did its bit for the nation, going to great lengths to assure the Test skipper of a hit if he was passed fit before next weekend. But the opposition, Paramatta, was equally keen to avoid bowling to Clarke as he tried to fast-track his recovery for the start of the series against India. Wests, having named Clarke as a substitute for the second day of the match, were sent in by Paramatta and made an early declaration at 0-17. Paramatta, in turn, declared at 2-140, meaning Wests had to bat for the rest of the day to push the game into the second week. Clarke's club teammates knuckled down in the national interest, and lost just one wicket with a few overs to go before stumps, which means that if his hamstring improves rapidly he will be allowed to bat next Saturday. That still seems a long shot, given physiotherapist Alex Kountouris admitted on Thursday he had not started running or doing any of the other functional things he needs to do to prove his fitness for a Test. But the clubs' tactics demonstrate that Clarke hasn't given up on being fit for the Gabba, even though Cricket Australia's team performance manager Pat Howard suggested he might miss the whole series and stated that he would recommend to the board that Brad Haddin be made captain in his absence. "I wouldn't say it's skullduggery," said Wests coaching coordinator Russel Grimson. I would say Paramatta are trying to win a cricket game and their role is to get six points for their team. I believe the last time Michael played against Paramatta he scored 200 not out, so you would be trying to avoid having him come up against you. We would obviously like to see one of our players playing for Australia and are doing our utmost to help him get there. But it's a game of cricket and I would have nothing against Paramatta making any decisions. I know our captain is trying to do the best thing by our players and the Australian captain. Cricket NSW boss Andrew Jones said the tactics would be investigated. "While Cricket NSW and the Sydney Cricket Association are conscious of the broader interests of Australian cricket and hence appreciate the thinking behind this gesture, we are also conscious of the need to maintain the integrity of the Sydney grade competition," Jones said. If Clarke is named in the Test squad there may be no need to nominate a vice-captain to Haddin, but Steve Smith indicated he was ready to take on more responsibility after his brilliant, match-winning century in the 4th ODI against South Africa on Friday night. Smith admitted he was treated for stiffness in his hips but was confident about playing in Sunday's series finale in Sydney, where Australia will shoot for the No.1 ranking, and about continuing his career-best form in the Test series. I'm just a little bit tight through my hips. No real concern, hopefully it settles down and everything should be fine," Smith said. My whole batting has improved a lot over the last 12 months. I think I'm premeditating a lot less, I'm playing each ball on its merits, just looking to bat time. I'm happy where everything is at in the middle order. I just have to continue the way I am playing at the moment. If I do that and I keep the same processes, hopefully I can keep making runs. Peter Siddle and Josh Hazlewood are set to be picked in the Test squad, and along with Mitchell Johnson will be rested for this week's round of Sheffield Shield games, while recovering fast bowler Ryan Harris puts some extra miles in his legs against Tasmania at Allan Border Field. Nathan Lyon is likely to hold his spot in the squad but could be on notice, as leg spinners Fawad Ahmed and Cameron Boyce are coming off strong shield performances. Phillip Hughes is expected to be in contention for a recall, especially if Clarke is absent from the Gabba.