PAINE LOOKING GOOD

Injured skipper to soldier on in Perth

CRICKET: Justin Langer has backed cricket’s “toughest pretty boy” Tim Paine and his pace attack to solider through the pain threshold as Australia’s moment of truth arrives in Perth.

Australia faces an inaugural, historic series loss on home soil against India if it doesn’t square up on Perth Stadium’s new green top with searing temperatures forecast for the second Test starting Friday.

Australia’s experienced core must stand up with coach Langer crediting Virat Kohli’s unit for playing with more “passion” in its 31-run triumph at Adelaide Oval – India’s first in a Test series opener here.

“There’s certainly some pace and bounce. Hopefully on a wicket which is conducive to a bit of swing and seam, the bowlers will get the job done,” Langer said.

Paine must repeat the bravado of playing with a hairline hand fracture against South Africa last March at the Wanderers. The Australian skipper copped a nasty finger blow from India’s Mohammed Shami on Monday.

“Painey is the toughest pretty boy I have ever met,” said Langer of the 16-Test keeperbatsman, who has had seven operations since his index finger was smashed by a Dirk Nannes bouncer in 2010.

“Even if it was snapped in about four pieces, he’d still be right. He’s absolutely fine. Obviously he’s had issues with it before, but he is 100 percent ready to go.”

Meanwhile Langer has admitted spearhead Mitch Starc was out of sync at times in the first Test but he said fatigue shouldn’t be an issue for the leftarmer or fellow bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood andNathan Lyon.

Langer said Australia’s topsix batting time would be key to keeping his attack fresh and firing in a Perth hot-house.

“They have had a couple of days off and India are in the same situation,” he said.

“That is probably the one area where we probably felt we weren’t wearing down the Indian bowlers enough this Test. It will be hot on Friday and an important toss to win.”

Langer conceded Australia must settle on the right batting combination with Aaron Finch struggling in the opening slot with Marcus Harris. Usman Khawaja could yet open but that move has been slammed as “reactionary” by former Test skipper Ricky Ponting.

“I just think that’d be really reactionary,” Ponting said.

“When you start moving guys around, it just creates more uncertainty. Finch would potentially train differently this week because he’s not opening (and) Usman has to train differently because he is opening.

“If I was them, I’d be tempted to keep it the same.”