Josh Hazlewood, Michael Clarke and David Warner train during a nets session in Adelaide earlier this month. Photo: Ryan Pierse
Josh Hazlewood is tantalisingly close to collecting a baggy green cap this week as Australia contemplate making changes to their pace attack for the second Test at the Gabba.
The short break between Tests combined with India's gallant effort with the bat has left Australia's selectors with concerns regarding the form and fitness of their quicks.
Ryan Harris is not considered a certain starter for his home Test while there are renewed questions over Peter Siddle's position in the team after an underwhelming display in Adelaide.
Such is the level of uncertainty, there are five frontline quicks with the squad in Brisbane after the addition of Mitchell Starc on Saturday night.
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"We will see how they pull up. If they are 100 per cent they will play. We will pick the best team to get 20 wickets," said coach Darren Lehmann. "A couple of them are sore but the next day or two will tell."
The only thing that can be ruled out is Australia will play a spinner after Nathan Lyon's match-winning heroics.
On form, Harris remains a first-choice pick in Australia's pace attack but the lionhearted paceman has a lengthy injury history and risks will not be taken with him.
Last week's match was his first Test in nine months and only his fourth at any level since undergoing major knee surgery in March.
The veteran hurled down 40 overs in Adelaide, short of the threshold at which red flags are raised by medical staff, but has little time to recover before the series continues on Wednesday.
There would be more pressure on his ageing frame should Australia bowl first.
"I don't know, I literally don't know," Lehmann said when asked if Harris would recover in time.
"He's just come back in the side. You'd like to think so at the Gabba. Having said that if they are not 100 per cent they won't play."
As there are only four days between the second and third Tests due to the reshuffle of the schedule, selectors may decide they can only play him in either Brisbane or Melbourne but not both.
The concern over Siddle is with his form and drop in pace, which was noted by Shane Warne in the Channel Nine commentary box.
The Victorian worked extremely hard over winter to rebuild his strength so he could return to the 140 km/h region after being dumped in South Africa. But he appears to be struggling again.
Although battling illness in the first innings, he was noticeably slower than Mitchell Johnson and Harris. His only two wickets for the game were those of tailenders Karn Sharm and Mohammed Shami.
And when the game was up for grabs on the final day, Siddle was given only nine overs without success.
It follows a trying series in the UAE where he claimed two wickets at 108.5 on unsuitable surfaces.
"He was a little bit unwell first innings. Second innings it was the nature of the game. He bowled tightly which is what we need from him - getting some more wickets if possible," Lehmann said.
"He knows that but he is doing everything he can behind the scenes. He's OK."
Siddle is under enormous pressure from Hazlewood, who has cranked his pace up to the high 140s this summer.
Marred by injury in recent seasons, the NSW speedster is relishing being able to spend prolonged periods on the mark and has more confidence his body can withstand the demanding workload.
At 196 centimetres, Hazlewood with his extra bounce and carry will be suited to the Gabba wicket.
Starc is also in the frame after taking four wickets for NSW last week in shield. The left-armer has a fine record at the Gabba, with 14 first-class wickets at 24 and seven at 12.6 at one-day international level.