As Australia prepares for a grueling five-Test series against India this summer, captain Pat Cummins has emphasized the increased role all-rounders Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh will play in maintaining the strength and stamina of the team’s pace attack. The upcoming series, part of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, is set to be a demanding test of endurance for Australia’s fast bowlers, and Cummins is keen on utilizing the team’s all-rounders to ensure the frontline pacers can perform at their best across all matches.

Last season, Australia managed to field an unchanged fast-bowling lineup through seven Tests against Pakistan, West Indies, and New Zealand. The quick nature of those matches meant Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood remained fresh throughout, with only a handful of innings requiring over 78 overs of bowling. However, with the India series expected to be more intense, Cummins believes the all-rounders will be crucial.

"It's been huge having the all-rounders," Cummins said at the launch of Play Cricket week. "In some ways, we haven't had to use them as much as we thought we would, which is a great thing. The last couple of summers have been pretty light with quick Test matches. I suspect this summer might be a bit different at times. We'll be drawing on Cam Green and Mitch Marsh a bit more."

Green, who has taken 35 wickets at an average of 35.31 in Tests, has evolved as both a batter and bowler. His return to the side earlier this year against New Zealand saw him score an impressive 174 not out, solidifying his place in the top six. Alongside Marsh, who also adds depth to the bowling attack, the pair provides Cummins with valuable options to manage the workload of the frontline pacers.

Cummins highlighted the luxury of having all-rounders who could make the team on their batting alone. "The first point is they both absolutely make the top six on their batting alone, which is a luxury," he said. "We're really lucky that Nathan Lyon bowls plenty of overs, so you don't necessarily have to have an allrounder, but it makes a big difference to have that fifth bowling option. And with someone like Cam and Mitch, we have six bowling options. It's a really nice thing to have."

Australia’s previous encounters with India have shown the importance of managing player workloads. The last time the two sides met, Australia’s fast bowlers struggled in the later stages of the series due to fatigue, contributing to their inability to secure a series win despite taking an early lead. With the experience of that series fresh in their minds, Cummins and the team are determined to avoid a repeat.

In addition to Green and Marsh, Australia boasts a strong bench of fast bowlers, including Scott Boland, Michael Neser, and Lance Morris, all of whom could play a role if required. Cummins himself is currently focusing on fitness to ensure he is ready for the condensed schedule, which will be followed by another series in Sri Lanka shortly after the India tour.

The Border-Gavaskar series is expected to be a fiercely contested battle, and with the added depth provided by their allrounders, Australia hopes to maintain the consistency needed to outlast their formidable opponents.