Australia's fast bowlers may be asked to share the load this summer with tight turnarounds in the four-Test series certain to weigh on selectors' minds.
Justin Langer's team adopted a squad mentality throughout the 2019 Ashes, when Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson and Peter Siddle all played key roles.
It was billed as a horses-for-courses selection approach, rather than a rotation policy, and there was no arguing with its effectiveness.
It would not be a major surprise if something similar unfolds in coming weeks.
Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood are set to be unleashed on India in the day-night Test at Adelaide Oval.
But Pattinson's time may come, potentially as soon as Boxing Day.
There is a four-day break between the first and second Tests, presuming the series opener runs into a fifth day.
A three-day turnaround between the third and final Tests could be even more brutal, especially if the MCG and SCG pitches are flat.
Pattinson is content to bide his time, adding if he doesn't play a Test this summer it will be very good news for Australia.
"It'll be pretty tough to break into the team but it's just great to be in the squad," Pattinson told AAP.
"Especially coming back from so many injuries and having back surgery, not knowing if I'd ever get back to playing Test cricket again.
"Hopefully we play three fast bowlers who bowl them out really cheaply in every Test (and keep getting picked).
"But obviously they've got some great batters, so the likelihood of that happening is not high ... the big thing is just being ready if you do get a chance."
Pattinson's haul of 3-58 in a recent tour game against India, including the prized scalp of Cheteshwar Pujara, suggests he will be ready to step up at any point.
Michael Neser, who bowled Pujara for a duck in the same match and has consistently earned the praise of coach Justin Langer over the past 18 months, is also waiting in the wings.
"It (changes) will depend on how the bowlers are feeling. There will be the right turnarounds; the longest is seven days between the second and third Tests," Pattinson said.
"The luxury the selectors have is they have a lot of fit fast bowlers they can pick from, it's something they love."
.png?w=600)
