Shane Warne has been struck down with a back injury and is in major doubt for the second Test against the West Indies starting on Thursday in Hobart.

The highest Test wicket-taker in history is suffering lower back pain and NSW seamer Stuart Clark is flying down to Tasmania on Wednesday night as cover for the legspinner.

Warne has been given until Thursday morning to prove his fitness for the clash at Bellerive Oval.

A Cricket Australia spokeswoman said it was the first time Warne had suffered the injury.

If Warne is ruled out, seamer Nathan Bracken and spin bowler Stuart MacGill will both play in the match.

The Victorian started feeling pain in his back on Tuesday night and received treatment for it on Wednesday.

Clark was called up as cover during this year's Ashes series and made his one-day international debut in last month's Super Series against the World XI in Melbourne.

The ultra-accurate right-armer was cover for the Super Test at the SCG before being allowed to fly up for NSW's ING Cup match against Queensland in Brisbane on October 14.

Captain Ricky Ponting also believes there is room for both Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson in the Test side in the future.

The skipper is a staunch supporter of the power-packed Queensland duo and Symonds can strengthen his case for an extended run in the second Test against the West Indies.

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