Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Marsh face fitness issues in 2nd Test against India

                                                                           Hazlewood is suffering from cramps 

The first day's play of the second Test between Australia and India at the Gabba was dominated by the visitors as they racked up 311 runs for the loss of four wickets on the board. To make matters worse for the hosts, the pace trio of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh and Mitchell Starc all faced fitness issues.

Marsh, the all-rounder, who took his first wicket in his Test career when he dismissed Shikhar Dhawan, pulled up with an injured hamstring, after his first over in the post-lunch session and will not bowl again in the Test match. "He's got a mild low-grade hamstring strain on his right leg. He's had surgery on his left leg, a year ago and also injured his right leg two years ago. But this is a mild injury. He's going to have a scan today and we'll try to get him on the field tomorrow and hopefully have him batting in some way, if that is useful," team physio Alex Kountouris was quoted as saying.

Hazlewood, who extracted awkward bounce from a length on Day 1, was laid low with cramps on what was a hot and humid day in Brisbane. "He had cramps all over the body. Typically, when they cramp, it's either the calf or the hamstring or something and they get over it. The difficulty with him was he was cramping everywhere. Calves, both hamstrings, groins, hips. He just couldn't function. He will recover overnight and we'll see how he wakes up tomorrow. We expect him to be bowling tomorrow," Kountouris said.

Starc, the left-arm pacer, who struggled for rhythm, was also seen clutching his ribs between deliveries. But, Kountouris said that his injury was not a side-strain. "His back was sore and he was also getting some rib-pain. It is not a side strain and we don't think it is anything that is going to stop him bowling but we'll have to look at it tonight. But we think he is going to be able to okay to bowl tomorrow," Kountouris added.

Australian think-tank will hope that both Hazlewood and Starc can bowl some overs on Day 2 to reduce the burden on Johnson's shoulders.