Marnus Labuschagne cleared of finger fracture, will play on after copping painful injury in late short-ball barrage

Marnus Labuschagne has been cleared of a finger fracture and is expected to field during Pakistan's second innings in the first Test.

Australia's No.3 was sent for scans on the little finger of his right hand after being hit by a delivery from debutant paceman Khurram Shahzad on day three at Optus Stadium in Perth.

The knock was a source of discomfort for Labuschagne, who played on but was dismissed by Shahzad for two runs soon after.

An injury to Labuschagne, a lock for selection at first drop, would have been a blow for Australia with four Tests remaining this summer and could have forced a reshuffle of the batting order.

But scans cleared the 29-year-old of structural damage and he was able to bat in the nets before play began on day four.

Cricket writer Louis Cameron posted a clip of him on Sunday with the good news.

'The prognosis on Marnus Labuschagne’s finger can’t be too dire. Here he is facing the Wild Thing in the nets before play. Green and Boland also going full tilt at him,' wrote Cameron.

'An X-ray taken last night did not demonstrate any visible fracture. Marnus was able to bat unhindered in the nets this morning,' a Cricket Australia spokesperson said.

Labuschagne was spotted in the nets facing Lance Morris before play on Day 4 and seemed to be unbothered by the injury.

Teammate Steve Smith resumed batting on Sunday despite being struck by a series of bouncers from Pakistan quick Shaheen Afridi on Saturday that required staff to treat his left arm on the pitch.

'It'll take a lot for him to miss out, especially on 43 not out,' teammate Mitch Marsh told SEN before play began.

Smith (45) lasted just less than four overs on day four before being trapped lbw by Shahzad, with cracks beginning to emerge on the Perth pitch and making life tougher for the batters.