NSW quicks put on ice ahead of first Test

Pat Cummins and his fellow Blues quicks have been put on ice ahead of the first of six Domain Tests and a grueling summer of cricket.

Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were named in Australia's 14-man squad for the first two Tests against India in Adelaide having fine-tuned their preparation in NSW's comprehensive JLT Sheffield Shield win in Canberra last week.

That four-day match will be the trio's sole red ball hit-out before the summer's opening Test after Cummins today confirmed they will miss the Blues’ next Shield clash in Perth next week.

Despite the lack of first-class match practice, Cummins has slowly been building up to the first Test against Virat Kohli's India after suffering a back injury in the wake of the South Africa Test series that concluded in April.

"I think Josh, Starcy and I are all going to rest up this Shield game and be right to go in Adelaide," Cummins told reporters in Syndey today.

"Ideally it would be nice to maybe sneak in another bowl, it's about a 16-day gap but that Shield game (at Perth Stadium) is probably a bit too close to the Test match.

"Just in case you're out in the field for two or three days and suddenly have a quick turnaround.

"The first two Tests are back to back, we couldn't be happier with how we bowled in Canberra last week.

"I've played two 2nd XI games, three ODIs and the Shield game in the past month.

"I feel like I've been bowling heaps, it's been coming out really well.

"Now we can tailor that next 10 days before that first Test."

Cummins said the decision to rest the star trio was made with input from the Cricket Australia medical staff, coaches, selectors and the players themselves.

Two Victorian quicks – veteran Peter Siddle and uncapped Chris Tremain – were also named in the Test squad but appear to be cover for the Blues triumvirate.

The Victorian pair loom as the next in line should injury find the frontline quicks, and given the jam-packed summer, all five fast bowlers could feature this season.

Australia play India from December 6 before the second Test starts in Perth on December 14. There is then a week break between the Perth Test and the traditional back-to-back Boxing Day and New Year's Tests. Australia then play three one-day internationals against India in January before two Tests against Sri Lanka in Brisbane (day-night) and Canberra, with only three days splitting the Tests.

Cummins and Hazlewood – who is also returning from a back injury – played all five Ashes Tests last summer and hopes to stay on the park like he did 12 months ago.

"All we can do is try to get ourselves in the best position," Cummins said.

"I feel like we've done that, especially Joshy and I – we've had six months off – a little bit of cricket recently but basically six months of getting our bodies right, getting really fresh and making sure when that first Test comes that we're flat out and ready for a long summer.

"I couldn't be happier with where I am and I think the other boys are the same.

"There's no real niggles or anything we're worried about. we'll see what happens.

"Hopefully we don't spend five days in the field every Test, get through them all.

"That's always the aim. No reason at the moment why that won't happen."

India Tour of Australia 2018-19

Gillette T20s v India

First T20: Australia won by four runs (DLS method)

Second T20: November 23, MCG

Third T20: November 25, SCG

Domain Tests v India

First Test: December 6-10, Adelaide Oval

Second Test: December 14-18, Perth Stadium

Third Test: December 26-30, MCG

Fourth Test: January 3-7, SCG

Gillette ODI Series v India

First ODI: January 12, SCG (D/N)

Second ODI: January 15, Adelaide Oval (D/N)

Third ODI: January 18, MCG (D/N)