Australia has had a raft of selection quandaries and injuries in the lead-up to the opening Test of the summer, so Smith’s back complaint on Tuesday was arguably the last thing selectors needed.
Speaking to the media at Wednesday’s pre-Test press conference, Paine clarified any concerns about the 31-year-old’s fitness.
“We expect him to play, he has had a stiff back before,” Paine said.
“Yesterday was more precautionary. He is in to train today so well see how he goes.
“Come tomorrow whether he’s a bit sore in the back or stiff in the back he normally gets up and gets through it and finds a way to score runs like he always does.”
Australia have already declared that 21-year-old all-rounder Cam Green will debut if he’s cleared following a concussion suffered in Friday’s Australia A match.
The major dilemma for selectors is whether to persist with out-of-form opener Joe Burns or go with Marcus Harris, who hardly made a compelling case during the Australia A game but has made a double century and fifty in the Sheffield Shield earlier this season.
“Things have changed a little bit with injury but I think tomorrow you’ll see a pretty similar side walk out that finished the summer last year here in Australia,” Paine said.
“Pretty much we have a team by we won’t be releasing it unfortunately until the toss tomorrow.
“Speaking to Joe, I don’t think he is (lacking confidence). He has been looking forward to this Test match.
“Obviously his build up in terms of runs hasn’t been great but again if you look at the work he has done solely in Test cricket for this team it’s been very, very good.”
India, who will only have captain Virat Kohli for the First Test before paternity leave, have their own opener quandary, with either uncapped Shubman Gill or Prithvi Shaw in the mix. Shaw is the incumbent.
The talented Rishabh Pant is expected to the nod over Wriddhiman Saha as India’s first choice gloveman for the series.