Australia release three cricketers from Test squad for BBL

The rest of the Australian squad, however, will not take any part in the first week of the BBL and Cricket Australia will decide on the availability of players for the second week after the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test match is finalised.

Australia have decided to release all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and fast bowlers Peter Siddle and Chris Tremain from the Test squad so that they can take part in the Big Bash League starting December 19.

All three cricketers were not included in the first two Test matches against India as Australia played with the same playing XI both in Adelaide and Perth.

The rest of the Australian squad, however, will not take any part in the first week of the BBL and Cricket Australia will decide on the availability of players for the second week after the playing XI for the Boxing Day Test match is finalised.

Marsh will turn up for Perth Scorchers in their season opener on Thursday against Melbourne Renegades. The Australians have opted for just four bowlers for the opening two Tests on pitches that have offered plenty of assistance, but they might need an extra bowling option if surfaces are flatter at the MCG and SCG.

Australia squad: Tim Paine (c, wk), Josh Hazlewood (vc), Mitch Marsh (vc), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Chris Tremain

India squad: Virat Kohli (c), Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant (wk), Parthiv Patel (wk), Ravi Ashwin, Ravi Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar

"As this series wears on and you get to places where the wicket is a bit flatter and conditions a bit warmer and bowlers a little more tired, he might have more of a role to play," Paine said of Marsh ahead of the Adelaide Test.

"We'll send him back to Shield (cricket), get some more cricket under his belt knowing at some stage we're probably going to need him."

Marsh on his part remained confident of making a comeback into the playing XI despite making it clear that he was devastated after being dropped for the series opener against India at Adelaide, which Australia lost by 28 runs.

"I was obviously very disappointed to miss out in the first Test but I understood the reasons why," Marsh said.

"Ultimately, you've got two ways to go about it – you can either sulk and go into your shell or you can put a smile on your face and enjoy the hard work, enjoy the challenge of getting back into that Test side.

"Every Test match you miss out on – it's shattering. I got plenty of messages of support. I cop a fair bit but I do have a lot of people who care about me and always have support for me," Marh added.