Paine backs Aussie quicks despite toughest turnaround

Australia's bowlers face their toughest turnaround in eight years as they seek to rebound for the deciding Vodafone Test against India at the Gabba. 

But captain Tim Pain believes they're up for the challenge.

The hosts sent down 131 overs on Sunday and Monday during a frustrating finish to the the Sydney Test as India held on to draw.

The Border-Gavaskar series finale at the Gabba now shapes as one of the biggest Tests in Australia for years, with the series completely alive.

And Australia couldn't come into it facing a tougher prospect.

Not since December 2012 have they had such a tight three-day turnaround after bowling more than 130 overs in a fourth innings.

Back then it ended in tears, pounded by South Africa in Perth, after the Proteas batted through 148 overs four days earlier to hold on for a draw in Adelaide.

Days later South Africa whacked 569 in their second innings as Australia used an all-new pace attack with James Pattinson injured and Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus rested.

It prompted a 309-run win for South Africa, in ironically what is still the last full-on decider to be played in Australia, with the series level going into the final Test.

Australia's workload management system is far different now and bowlers won't be rested like in 2012-13. 

But regardless Paine said they would be fit and ready for the Test at Australia's Gabba fortress on Friday.

"I don't think (it will be an issue)," Paine said. 

"They are pretty well conditioned to it now. They handle the load pretty well. 

"They know they have a rest after the Gabba and I think they enjoy bowling there.

"It's a bit easier on the body, seeing the ball fly through it's a bit easier for them mentally as well, it's enjoyable for them up there. 

"They'll be fine to go."

Working in Australia's favour at least is that spinner Nathan Lyon got through so much work, sending down 46 overs.

Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins both bowled 26 each, while Mitchell Starc, who played in that Perth match in 2012-13, bowled 22.

It will no doubt make the toss vitally important, with Australia likely desperate to bat through day one to give their bowlers on extra day of rest.

Vodafone Test Series v India 2020-21

Australia Test squad: Tim Paine (c), Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner

India Test squad: Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Rohit Sharma (vice-captain), Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Navdeep Saini, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, T Natarajan

First Test: Australia won by eight wickets

Second Test: India won by eight wickets

Third Test: Match drawn

Fourth Test: January 15-19, Gabba, 11am AEDT