Australia v India 2nd Test in Perth: Recovery of pace attacks after hectic workloads key to outcome

They may be licking their lips upon hearing some predictions of a Perth pitch with plenty of pace and bounce but the Aussie and Indian fast bowlers have more pressing concerns after a tough Adelaide Test.

Jasprit Bumrah was a big success for India in Adelaide.

A three-day turnaround between Tests shapes as a physical and mental challenge for both Australia and India.

The four-Test series continues at Perth’s Optus Stadium on Friday, with the tourists having recorded a 31-run win in Adelaide to take the early advantage.

Both teams travelled on Tuesday, essentially leaving them with just two days to recover, review what went right and wrong during the series opener then ready themselves for the second Test.

Jasprit Bumrah was a big success for India in Adelaide.

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The most obvious priority for both camps, apart from Tim Paine’s finger injury that Australia coach Justin Langer insists is “absolutely fine”, is ensuring their respective pace attacks are fit and ready to fire.

Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami delivered a total of 123.4 overs in Adelaide, where Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins combined for 120.5 overs.

The six stars are likely to be licking their lips upon hearing some predictions of a pitch with plenty of pace and bounce.

However, they’re unlikely to roll the arm over much in the nets before day one of the second Test.

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“They have to rest up. To hell with the nets. You just come there, mark your attendance and get away to the hotel,” India coach Ravi Shastri said.

Apart from managing players’ physical workloads, Langer is keen to ensure his inexperienced charges aren’t mentally cooked after a tense finish to Australia’s much-anticipated first home Test since the Cape Town cheating scandal.

“Training will probably look a lot different at this time of the year than perhaps we’ve seen in the past,” Langer said.

“We’ll freshen the guys up. It’s something we’re aware of. We’ll work it out over the next few days.

Josh Hazlewood bowled 43 overs in a busy Adelaide Test performance.

“On the one hand, the youth helps us because they’ll have the physical energy. It’s (also) mentally very taxing playing Test cricket. It’s really tiring’.”

Mitch Marsh will link with the Test squad but the vice-captain is likely to be left on the sidelines again.

Langer suggested quicks Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins will be fine to back up, meaning Peter Siddle will be on drinks duty once again.

“They’ve had a couple of days off. Would’ve had three or four days off (come day one). India are in exactly the same situation,” he said.

Originally published as Australia v India 2nd Test in Perth: Recovery of pace attacks after hectic workloads key to outcome