Shaun Marsh has already been added to the squad to fill Clarke's place in the batting lineup while wicketkeeper Brad Haddin is the overwhelming favourite to take over the captaincy, considered one of the greatest honours in Australian sport.
But with only a few days between matches, the biggest dilemma facing the selectors is the bowling lineup.
Nathan Lyon is all but assured of retaining his place as the specialist spinner after capturing a career-best 12 wickets in Adelaide but the pace attack could come under review.
The Australian coach Darren Lehmann said he wanted to check on the fitness of his seamers before deciding on his lineup.
The most concern centres around Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle. Harris was playing his first test since undergoing knee surgery while Siddle was battling a stomach bug.
"We will see how they pull up. If they are 100 per cent they will play," Lehmann told reporters. "A couple of them are sore but the next day or two will tell."
Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc loom as the most likely to get a call-up if the Australian selectors do want some fresh legs.
Opener Chris Rogers is also under the microscope after a lean run with the bat.
While his opening partner David Warner has piled on six centuries from his last 11 innings, including twin hundreds in Adelaide, Rogers has only made it past 50 once in his last 12 knocks.
"He has put on some really good partnerships with David Warner over the last 18 months and been a great foil behind the scenes," Lehmann said of Rogers.
"So we are really pleased where he's at (but) we'd obviously like him to make some more runs though."
Clarke, who has been plagued by back and hamstring problems for the past year, expects to miss the entire series.
He even flagged the possibility he might never play again though Lehmann was optimistic.
"I think he will be back," Lehmann said. "You have your fingers crossed, we will wait and see."
(Writing by Julian Linden in Singapore; Editing by Patrick Johnston)
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