Injury laden Aus bowling attack 'confident of taking 20 wickets'

'We have plenty of options here to cover the forced changes of Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Marsh, so we'll have another look at the wicket tomorrow and we'll name the team at the toss'

Injuries to Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Marsh, and their consequent sidelining from the tour, have not dented Australia’s confidence, asserts Australia captain as Steve Smith.

On Monday, it was revealed that Nathan Lyon had suffered from a split callus on the inside of his right index finger after grabbing eight wickets in the second Test, but Smith said the off-spinner is fit.

"His finger has healed nicely over the last week or so. I'm sure he'll be fine."

Australia pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has been ruled out of the series because of a stress fracture but Smith said they have it in their bowling attack to take 20 wickets.

"Obviously, when you lose someone with the class and calibre of Starc, it's always difficult. But we're confident that the rest of the bowling group can do the job to take 20 wickets in this Test.

"We have plenty of options here to cover the forced changes of Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Marsh, so we'll have another look at the wicket tomorrow and we'll name the team at the toss.

"We've got a few options here. Maxwell and Stoinis are obviously different all-rounders. We'll look at whether we need a bit more pace or another spinning option."

It appears that Australia will go in with Pat Cummins ahead of Jackson Bird because of his capability to bowl quicker.

"I think (Cummins) has got some good variations. Watching him bowl yesterday he bowled these cutters on the wicket and they were actually ragging (spinning). He's got some good skills there as well. The extra pace is always nice on there."

There is also a race between all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell for the number six position left vacant by Marsh, who was ruled out with a shoulder injury.

"We've got a few options here. Maxwell and Stoinis are obviously different all-rounders. We'll look at whether we need a bit more pace or another spinning option."

Image: Australia captain Steve Smith speaks during a press conference on Wednesday. Smith says he has the option of picking an all-rounder either in Marcus Stoinis or Glenn Maxwell

Photograph: PTI