Australia vs. India: Injury scare for Steve Smith as Mitchell Marsh remains in doubt, Alex Carey comments on reaction to First Test loss

A star batsman brushed off an injury scare as the Australian team proved how far they’re willing to go to put the embarrassing first Test flop behind them.

Mitch Marsh didn’t bowl while Steve Smith brushed off an injury scare as Australia went all hands on deck three days out from the second Test.

It was officially billed as an optional session but every member of the Aussie squad was present at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday as the hosts look to right the ship following their 295-run hiding at the hands of India in Perth.

But there remains considerable doubt over all-rounder Marsh’s ability to bowl after he pulled up sore following the first Test, leading selectors to add Tasmania’s Beau Webster to the squad.

Steve Smith has put a scare through the Australian camp ahead of the second Test in Adelaide. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

The West Australian appears a likely starter however, even if he cannot provide a fifth bowling option.

Aussie wicketkeeper Alex Carey said he expected Marsh to play.

“I think we’ll assess that over today, tomorrow, how his body really is,” Carey said.

“I haven’t seen him for a few days. He has been home, but I think he’ll be right. I haven’t heard otherwise, his batting has been fantastic for us since he’s come back into this team and his bowling again, he took some handy wickets, so hopefully he’s right and ready to go. Probably have to not look too far ahead from there.”

Alex Carey expects Mitchell Marsh to play in Adelaide. Picture: Izhar Khan/Getty Images

With Josh Hazlewood already ruled out of the second Test with a side injury, there were briefly concerns too over Smith after a Marnus Labuschagne throwdown struck the former captain awkwardly on the right thumb.

Smith received medical attention but returned to bat, albeit in a different net.

Labuschagne, under pressure to hold his spot beyond this Test after a poor run of scores this year, is again leaving no stone unturned in his bid to turn around his form, with the Queensland captain the last batter to leave the nets.

Scott Boland trained after linking up with the squad following his Prime Minister’s XI outing over the weekend with the Victorian poised to return to the side to replace Hazlewood.

Scott Boland bowling in the Adelaide Oval nets ahead of the second Test. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

With Australia having copped it publicly in the wake of the Perth defeat, Carey said that while the side respected different opinions, there remained an assuredness within the camp that things would be rectified.

“This group knows really what’s important for us, and we respect other people’s opinions. We don’t have to listen to them, but we certainly respect them. So yeah, internally, we’re really focused, we’re really confident,” Carey said.

“We’re a calm group. At times, it may look different to calmness, but it certainly is a confident and calm group.

“I think it’s quite a big reaction externally for one Test loss. Internally, we don’t feel that.

“We didn’t play the way we would have liked to have played, but we know over four, five Test matches, we keep rocking up and playing our style of cricket we will have the success.”

The Aussies have won all seven of their previous day-night Tests in Adelaide but Carey conceded that playing with the pink-ball had its challenges when it came to glovework.

“I think at times when the lights do come on and the light does change, it can be a little bit of depth perception and just making sure, as you always do, to watch the ball as closely as possible,” Carey said.

“But it is different. You don’t train it every session you play. You try to adapt as quickly as possible. We’ve got three sessions. Had a session yesterday, a field today, under lights tomorrow and hopefully we’re cherry ripe to go.

“But at times, behind the stumps, it can just look like a bit of a glow, rather than and see the seam.

“I’m not sure what it looks like from the side, but at times, it sort of can be hard to pick up, but (it’s) part of the game. I think the pink ball is a fantastic opportunity under lights, something different, and Adelaide does it really well.”

Originally published as Australia vs. India: Injury scare for Steve Smith as Mitchell Marsh remains in doubt, Alex Carey comments on reaction to First Test loss