Steve Smith’s injury is a blessing, says Mark Waugh

The former Aussie Test specialist feels that the players would need more practice with the red ball before they commence the next international series. Speaking to Sky Sports Radio, Waugh said, “Obviously Steve Smith going home might be a blessing in disguise, a bit of a freshen-up. He's got a heavy workload, as do a lot of the players. We'll be right. Those three Shield matches will have us in good stead for the Ashes."

Australia’s domestic tournament, the JLT one-day Cup, has already started and has seen many top players missing out due to international duties. Waugh thinks that the three rounds of the Shield, which have been squeezed in between Australia’s return and the Ashes will be immensely helpful for the build-up for the oldest bilateral Test series of the world.

Australia have been in India for almost a month and in this period, they have suffered a heavy 4-1 ODI series defeat. However, they have made amends for it in the T20I series, where they are now level at 1-1, with the series finale set to take place in Hyderabad on Friday. After playing eight limited-overs matches, at eight different locations, Australia will head home in a bid to reclaim the Ashes. But Waugh believes that the series was too stretched before the marquee clash.