Australia captain Michael Clarke was sent for scans on day four of the first Test against Sri Lanka, after being forced to leave the field with a hamstring injury while batting.

Clarke had made 57 off 46 balls, but pulled up clutching his left leg. This made him the second casualty in the match, after fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus picked up a side strain the day before.

Coach Micke Arthur said of Clarke's injury: "He will get all the treatment he needs, he will get that after hours tonight and he will get that tomorrow between breaks. You would have to cut Michael's leg off for him not to be out there.

"He certainly wants to marshal the troops and he wants to be there if hopefully sometime we can clinch a win. We don't know exactly the extent of the injury just yet. We will wait for the scan and once we have the scan we will be able to assess."

Hilfenhaus' 14th over of the innings on day three in Hobart spanned a mere two deliveries before left the field for treatment to his side. It was confirmed on Monday that he would not play in the Boxing Day match.

"Ben has got a side injury, almost a typical fast bowler's injury," said team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris.

The hosts are already without the services of fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, James Pattinson, who are nursing respective foot, back and rib injuries. All-rounder John Hastings, too, has been sidelined by a back ailment.

"I wish it was a simple answer as to why guys are breaking down. It's obviously not ideal, we've got more injuries that we'd like to have at the moment. We're working really hard to come up with solutions," added Kountouris.