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Star Australian spinner Nathan Lyon expects Mitch Marsh will bowl at the Adelaide Oval despite fears about the hulking allrounder's fitness.
Nathan Lyon has predicted Mitch Marsh will bowl in Adelaide, but has offered to take the spare overs if the sore Australia allrounder doesn't.
Marsh will enter the crucial second Test of the Border-Gavaskar series under an injury cloud after bowling more than Australia were expecting in Perth when India piled on second-innings runs.
The reigning Allan Border medallist didn't take the ball during Australia's optional training session at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday, but Lyon has no fears about Marsh's fitness.
"I'm not concerned about 'Bison's' (Marsh) fitness," the star spinner said on Wednesday.
"He's been brilliant for us in the games he's come back in (since last year's Ashes in England).
"I've got full confidence in the 'Bise', and to be honest, I'm happy to bowl his overs.
"I honestly think we'll see Mitch Marsh bowl. There you go."
For four Tests earlier in the year, Australia had the rare option of turning to two genuine allrounders to bowl overs when Cameron Green and Marsh played in the same team.
But with Green ruled out for the entire summer with a back injury and Marsh struggling to maintain full fitness, Australia are suddenly lacking in bowling depth.
Marsh bowled 17 overs at Optus Stadium, marking his heaviest workload in any Test since 2019.
The 33-year-old's pace noticeably dropped during India's second innings, with Australia turning to Marnus Labuschagne to bowl crucial overs when Marsh was unable.
But the decision to use Labuschagne in Perth, first with his medium pace, then leg-spin, came under criticism.
Lyon insists Australia have the firepower in their attack, featuring Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and the recalled Scott Boland, to not need a genuine fifth bowling option.
"If I get the opportunity to bowl more overs, I'll jump at it," he added.
Australia will train under lights at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday night, presenting Marsh with an opportunity to bowl.
Last winning a Test series after going down 1-0 back in 1997, Australia will need to create history if they are to regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy.
It makes the pink-ball match, starting on Friday, arguably Australia's most important Test under Cummins' captaincy.
Like Alex Carey on Tuesday, Lyon was bemused by some of the commentary that followed the 295-run smashing in the opening Test.
"We've had a chance to reflect," Lyon said.
"We understand that we didn't play our best cricket in Perth and India totally outplayed us.
"But with all the other stuff it's been quite humorous, in a way, looking at how much has been said and the reactions of so many different people after one loss.
When asked to elaborate on what he had found humorous, Lyon simply replied: "A lot".
But the opportunity to bounce back in the first five-Test series between Australia and India in 33 years was something that excited Lyon.
"At the end of the day, we're humans. We're going to make mistakes," he said.
"But if we can go out there and try and get better, try and learn along the journey, then we're going to put ourselves in a better position coming into our next fixture."
Australia have a perfect 7-0 record in day-night Tests at the Adelaide Oval, including beating India at the ground in 2020 when they skittled them for 36 during a famous second innings.
