Alex Carey and Australia staying calm amid storm over opening loss to India

Alex Carey has shrugged off suggestions Australia’s confidence has been rocked by its Perth nightmare, admitting he has been surprised by the intense reaction to the first-Test thumping.

Australia’s perfect pink-ball record at the Adelaide Oval goes on the line from Friday when the second Test against India starts.

Having not won a Test series after going down 1-0 since 1997, Australia will need to create history if it is to regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time since 2014/15.

Criticism of Australia since losing by a record 295 runs at Perth Stadium has come in thick and fast.

But Carey, one of Australia’s better performers last week, insisted they had plenty of time to bounce back in the five-Test series.

“I think it’s quite a big reaction, externally, for one Test loss,” the wicketkeeper said on Tuesday.

“Internally, we don’t feel that.

“We didn’t play the way we would have liked to have played, but we know over five Test matches, we keep rocking up and playing our style of cricket, we will have the success.

“We’re calm internally and we’re excited to get back out there and play a better style of cricket.”

Victorian veteran Scott Boland will almost certainly play his first Test since last year’s Ashes, coming in to replace injured quick Josh Hazlewood (side strain).

In-form Tasmania captain Beau Webster has been called into the squad as cover for sore all-rounder Mitch Marsh.

After bowling more than expected in Perth, the Allan Border medallist will need to be carefully managed this summer.

Marsh could still play as a batter only in Adelaide as he remains important to the top six.

The 33-year-old looked comfortable batting in the nets on Tuesday, but did not bowl and likely will not until at least the match.

“He has been home, but I think he’ll be right. I haven’t heard otherwise,” Carey said of Marsh.

“His batting has been fantastic for us since he’s come back into this team. His bowling, he took some handy wickets [in Perth], so hopefully he’s right and ready to go.”

Australia arrived in Adelaide on Monday, a day earlier than planned, after being stunned inside four days in the series opener.

Under-pressure number three Marnus Labsuchagne had one of his traditional long sessions in the nets on Tuesday and was the last batter to leave.

He looked busy at the crease, intent on playing shots rather than just trying to survive as he did across both innings in Perth.

But Labuschagne momentarily created some drama after deciding to give throw downs in between his batting stints.

One of the 30-year-old’s throws slammed into Steve Smith’s right hand, causing the veteran star to jump up in pain.

Smith stopped batting for more than 5 minutes as his thumb was assessed by team doctor Leigh Golding, but the 35-year-old shook off the discomfort, moving to another net to bat out the session.

Cummins and Mitchell Starc bowled briefly on Tuesday but Boland, who played in the PM’s XI match on Sunday, only batted.

Australia will train under lights with the pink ball on Wednesday, with India having their night session later on Tuesday.

AAP