The Australian pace bowling trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, who have been a constant presence in the team's last nine Test matches, may have delivered an outlier performance during the previous summer. With the recent injury to all-rounder Cameron Green, the selectors are now reconsidering their seam bowling options.

The durability of the pace attack was highlighted by their participation in all matches stretching back to the Ashes tour. The home conditions in Australia and New Zealand, which favored bowlers and resulted in none of the seven matches extending into a fifth day, played a part in their consistent performance.

However, the formidable batting lineup of India presents a new challenge, with expectations that Australia's bowlers will face a gruelling test over the upcoming five-match series spread across seven weeks. There is skepticism over whether Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood can maintain their previous form throughout what is expected to be a demanding series.

The depth of Australia's pace bowling has been tested as several fringe bowlers recover from injuries. Lance Morris, a regular squad member despite being uncapped at the Test level, recently suffered a quadriceps strain but is expected to return soon.

Scott Boland and Michael Neser, who started the Sheffield Shield season with a five-wicket haul for Queensland against Western Australia, have overcome off-season issues and will be part of the upcoming red-ball series for Australia A against India A.

"Last year, we were prepared for the possibility that our quicks might not play all Tests, but they did," said George Bailey, the chair of Australian selectors. "That might have been a rarity, and this summer we are again prepared to make adjustments if needed."

The workload for the pace trio may increase with Green sidelined for the entire summer due to a stress fracture in his back. Green, who started his Shield cricket career as a bowler, was expected to play a more significant role with the ball against India.

"Cam initially started as a bowler in Shield cricket but hasn't had to bowl much in Test matches. As he's gotten older, we were planning to lean on him more," Cummins mentioned in August.

Mitchell Marsh might be required to cover Green's absence, having bowled only four overs since tearing his hamstring during the IPL. However, he scored 94 at No. 4 for Western Australia in their second innings against Queensland without bowling in the match.

If selectors opt for a like-for-like replacement, Aaron Hardie and Beau Webster will be considered. Hardie, who missed the opening Shield round due to a quadriceps injury, is set to return for Western Australia's next match against Tasmania.

Bailey views having an all-rounder as a "luxury" rather than a necessity. "Even looking at the three quicks we typically play in Test cricket, they've played a lot without an all-rounder," he said. "It depends on the personnel available. Mitch and Cam have been able to secure spots based on their batting, which is fundamentally the most important aspect in the top six."

"Mitch Marsh is also being prepared to bowl some overs, which has been part of his management for the past few months."

The Australian hierarchy has carefully managed the workloads of the quicks ahead of the India series, with Cummins missing the entire white-ball England tour for a break from bowling. While Cummins is unlikely to play a Shield game before the India series, he will prepare by leading Australia in the ODI series against Pakistan. Hazlewood and Starc, however, are expected to play at least one Shield match before the Pakistan series.

"Pat has had individual preparation, but looking at the Test team from the end of last year and their buildup to the first Test this year, everyone's preparation is slightly different," Bailey said. "There's always an eye on the individual and what their best preparation is for any Test summer. The proliferation of franchise cricket means there are plenty of opportunities for players to fill gaps."

"Pat, Mitch, and Josh have been amazing at selecting which franchise tournaments to play and always give themselves good breaks when appropriate."