Australia captain Michael Clarke expects reverse swing to play a crucial role in the outcome of the fourth Test against India at Adelaide Oval, starting Tuesday.
With hot, dry temperatures forecast and a typically good batting pitch on offer, Clarke is preparing for prolonged stints in the field, bringing the pacemen's capacity to reverse swing the old ball into calculations.
Ryan Harris is a fine exponent of the art, rejuvenated Ben Hilfenhaus - who already has 23 wickets this series - is a natural at moving the ball in the air, be it conventional or Irish, and Peter Siddle's fuller length of late has enabled him to add a swing component to his armoury.
The conditions will be, according to Clarke, less foreign for the Indians compared to what they confronted during their Perth capitulation.
"Definitely, I think reverse swing will play a huge part in this Test - it always does (in Adelaide)," said Clarke, who stated he will almost certainly bat first if he wins the toss.
"The ground's in great nick so the outfield will keep the ball newer than I've seen it in the past, but as the day goes on, especially in this heat, I think you'll see a lot of reverse swing."
"That's why I say it's as close to Indian conditions as you're going to get in Australia."
"We know these conditions are going to suit India a lot more than where we just came from in Perth, so we're going to have to be at our best to beat them."
"As a batting unit we've been working on that in the nets - we've faced a bit of reverse swing and a fair bit of spin."
The home side has finalised its XI for the clash, with off-spinner Nathan Lyon coming back into the side, replacing unlucky left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc, who will be carrying the drinks despite impressing in Perth.
The Aussie skipper said a combination of picking the best outfit possible and one that would best suit the conditions was more important, at this stage, than resting any of the quicks on a rotational basis.
"We think that's the best 11 to give us every chance to win this Test match," Clarke said.
"Winning the last two Test matches in less than five days has helped everyone recover."
"The experience of the other three quicks (Ben Hilfenhaus, Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris) will play a part in these conditions."
"Reverse swing is going to play a huge part in this Test match and then later on (it gets) a bit up and down."
"Those three guys can bowl at the stumps quite consistently."
"If it does go up and down, that brings lbws and bowleds into the game."
Clarke expects Lyon to play a role, but is cautious of not burdening the seven-Test offie - who has taken two scalps at an average of 90 this series - with unrealistic expectations of running through an Indian side, so adept at playing slow bowling.
"I definitely have a lot of confidence in Lyno (Nathan Lyon)," Clarke said. "I would hate to put that sort of expectation (to take a bag of wickets) on him."
"I'd like to see him go out there and perform like he has done for Australia since making his debut."
"Because it spins doesn't guarantee you're going to take wickets."
Unlike the three previous encounters this season, Clarke