The Australian skipper, Tim Paine played down the concerns regarding the fitness of their batting stalwarts, Steve Smith, and also hinted that struggling Joe Burns will keep his spot as an opener. Smith wasn’t seen at a net session at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday after appearing to hurt his back during warm-up exercises. But Paine said Smith’s absence was precautionary and the former captain was set to take the field on Thursday in their first-ever day-night Test against Virat Kohli’s India, who won their last series in Australia 2-1.

Talking about Smith during a digital conference, Paine said, “His preparation has been very good. He’s batted for the last week since we’ve been in Adelaide. So for him to have a day off might actually be a blessing in disguise. Yesterday was more precautionary. He’s in to train today, so we’ll see how he goes. But come tomorrow, whether he’s fit and sore in the back, or stiff in the back, I think he normally gets up, gets through it and finds a way to score runs like he always does.”

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Australia has had a fair share of their injuries ahead of the four-Test series, with opener David Warner ruled out of Adelaide with a groin injury, and his replacement Will Pucovski suffered a huge blow on his head and suffered a concussion. In better news, Paine said young all-rounder Cameron Green, who also suffered a mild concussion last week, was “pretty good to go”, meaning the in-form 21-year-old will get his first taste of Test cricket.

Tim Paine explained, “He trained really well with us yesterday and the reports are he’s pulled up really well this morning, so all things going well Cam Green will make his Test debut tomorrow.”

With Green in the team, it looks almost certain that Matthew Wade will be expected to open the innings. But in a strong hint that selectors will show faith in Burns, Paine said they expected to field a similar side to the one that finished the last Australian summer before the coronavirus prevented any more Tests.

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The Australian skipper explained, “Obviously his build-up, in terms of runs, hasn’t been great but if you look at the work he’s done solely in Test cricket for this team, it’s been very, very good. He averages just over 40 in Test cricket. If Joe walks out to bat tomorrow, we’ve got full confidence in him doing the job, there’s no doubt about that.”