Training session offers Test intrigue

Wednesday's optional training session at the iconic WACA Ground may have offered some clues as to how Australia will line-up for the second Domain Test in Perth.

Among the talking points raised after the captivating first Test in Adelaide were Australia's batting order, the form of spearhead Mitchell Starc and the fitness of captain Tim Paine.

Working backwards, Paine did not train on Wednesday, but it had nothing to do with his damaged finger.

The skipper copped a short ball from India paceman Mohammed Shami on his troublesome right index finger on Monday in Australia's final-day pursuit of victory.

Immediately after the match, Paine declared himself a certain starter for the second Test and took Wednesday off to rest ahead of Friday's first day at Perth Stadium.

Paine was still busy at Australia training, speaking to head coach Justin Langer, national selector Trevor Hohns and suspended opener Cameron Bancroft, who was on deck with his Scorchers teammates at their induction day for BBL|08.

While Paine was watching on from the WACA's home dressing sheds, paceman Starc was out in the middle participating in the team's centre wicket practice.

Starc was the only member of the incumbent bowling attack to roll the arm over on Wednesday. The left-armer chatted with Langer and assistant coach David Saker, and bowled a handful of overs from each of the Lillee-Marsh Stand End and Prindiville Stand End.

The 27-year-old was wayward at times in the first Test but still took figures of 5-103 from 40.5 overs, highlighting his wicket-taking ability even when not firing on all cylinders.
Rookie opener Marcus Harris faced Starc and dismissed any notion the express paceman was struggling.  

"Quick," Harris told reporters when asked how Starc was bowling. 

"He bowled pretty well. There was obviously a bit of talk about him after the game, but I thought he bowled pretty well during the game. 

"He felt like he was in good rhythm out there before so I'm sure he's ready and raring to go before Friday."

Harris was at the centre of the other potential point of intrigue. The left-hander took on Starc, veteran seamer Peter Siddle and allrounder Mitch Marsh on a green WACA wicket alongside Usman Khawaja while his Test opening partner Aaron Finch batted with the middle order in the nets. 

After scores of zero and 11 in Adelaide, Finch's position as Test opener has come under question from the likes of all-time great Ricky Ponting, but the former captain said he would be reluctant to change the batting order.

When Finch did make it out to the middle, he faced a collection of young Western Australian quicks and batted with state teammate Peter Handscomb and later Shaun Marsh. 
The session ended with light fielding drills as the hosts look to even the series ledger with a win in the inaugural Test at Perth Stadium.

Domain Test Series v India

Dec 6-10: First Test, Adelaide Oval, India won by 31 runs

Dec 14-18: Second Test, Perth Stadium

Dec 26-30: Third Test, MCG

Jan 3-7: Fourth Test, SCG

Australia squad: Tim Paine (c, wk), Josh Hazlewood (vc), Mitch Marsh (vc), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Chris Tremain

India squad: Virat Kohli (c), Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant (wk), Parthiv Patel (wk), Ravi Ashwin, Ravi Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar