Speed demons set scene for pace race

For the second day in a row, one of the top priorities of Australia's batsmen in the Adelaide Oval nets has been self-preservation.

Australia's quicks followed up their terrifying display at training on Monday with another fiery net session on Tuesday, which included an injury scare for opener Aaron Finch after he was struck on the finger by a Mitchell Starc delivery.

Finch required attention and strapping from the team doctor after he was hit on his right index finger, the same digit that copped a blow from Starc during a training session in Perth last month.

The Victorian was able to continue and appeared to suffer no serious damage – allrounder Mitchell Marsh suggested Finch had put "a bit of mayo" on his reaction - but it underlined just how hazardous the past two days have been for Australia's batsmen.

"I don't know what it's been like to watch, but to be a part of it has been unbelievable," Marsh said.

"If you get out of our net sessions and you're not injured, you've had a great net. I'm still here in one piece.

"Starcy's been sending them down at some serious pace in the last couple of days. Finchy went out and had a net and came back in and said he's fine to go, so he's all sweet.

"We've all trained exceptionally well. We've prepared as best we possibly can."

India's quicks also bowled with impressive pace in their afternoon session, with opener Murali Vijay cleared to continue batting by medical staff after he was struck on the helmet by Mohammad Shami.

The fastest of India's five quicks appeared to be Test rookie Jasprit Bumrah, who generated plenty of pace with his uniquely whippy action.

Both teams boast a battery of five quicks, many of whom are capable of pushing and exceeding the 145km/h mark.

Victorian pair Chris Tremain and Peter Siddle are in Australia's squad as cover for Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, while India have Shami, Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar in their 18-man squad.

Domain Test Series v India

Dec 6-10: First Test, Adelaide Oval

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