Indians, Aussies excited by prospect of pacey track

I can say that not only now [based on] what they did in Adelaide, but what they've done over a period of time, in South Africa, in England and now in Australia. This is probably the best group of fast bowlers India has had.

BHARAT ARUN

INDIA BOWLING COACH

India are treating their pace bowlers like prize-winning thoroughbreds after the series-opening win over Australia in Adelaide while cautioning them against straining too hard at the reins when the second match gets underway in Perth.

Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah took 14 of 20 wickets at Adelaide Oval in a fine debut as a pace trio on Australian soil that helped fire the tourists to a 31-run win on Monday.

India coach Ravi Shastri said all three were being spared net duties on Tuesday to freshen up before the second test starting at Perth Stadium on Friday.

"I think fast bowlers are a precious commodity and they need to be taken care of like what you do with a racehorse," India bowling coach Bharat Arun told reporters in Perth on Wednesday. "And that's exactly what's happening."

Friday's test will be the first played at the new Perth Stadium, which has a drop-in pitch and succeeded the WACA as the city's premier venue. The curator is keen to produce a fast, bouncy wicket not unlike the WACA.

According to Arun, the been the biggest change over the last few seasons has been the consistency of India's pacers.

"I think consistency was a big issue earlier," said Arun ahead of the second Test. "That's something we have addressed with the bowlers. This is something they've really worked very hard on. They have responded well."

Australia coach Justin Langer said he expected a pacey wicket at the Perth Stadium and declared captain Tim Paine "ready to go".

"I'm really fascinated and can't wait to see what the wicket brings," he told reporters. "There's only been one four-day game in its history.

"I went and watched a bit of the NSW versus WA game -- there was certainly some pace and bounce there. We've also seen some pace and bounce in it during the one-dayers and T20 game."

But he said neither team would know how the drop-in pitch plays in Test conditions until the match begins on Friday.