Australia's captain, Pat Cummins, anticipates relying more on all-rounders Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh for bowling duties during the upcoming five-Test series against India later this year. The series, which kicks off on November 22 in Perth, aims to see Australia regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy, a feat they last achieved in 2014. Additional matches are scheduled in Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne, culminating in the final Test in Sydney starting January 3.
Given the intense schedule of five Tests over just six weeks, both teams are expected to be tested to their limits. Cummins is confident that Green and Marsh will enhance their roles with the ball. Reflecting on the past few summers, Cummins noted, "The last couple of summers have been pretty light, quick Test matches. I suspect this summer might be a bit different at times. We'll be drawing on Cam Green and Mitch Marsh a bit more."
Green, who began his career in Sheffield Shield cricket as a bowler, has not had extensive bowling opportunities in Test matches. Cummins acknowledges the valuable contribution of Nathan Lyon, but emphasizes the importance of having a fifth bowling option, which they now possess with six options available.
To prepare for the series, Cummins will skip the white ball tour of England and Scotland in September to manage his workload. The 31-year-old fast bowler is taking a two-month break sanctioned by Cricket Australia before resuming play in November's one-day series against Pakistan and in one of New South Wales' four Sheffield Shield matches. Cummins is focusing on strengthening his physical conditioning and plans to reassess his training regimen in a few weeks, aiming to be in top form for the first Test.
