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Australian opener Joe Burns has been cleared of a broken arm but Will Pucovski will remain on the sidelines because of concussion.
Joe Burns has been cleared of serious damage to his arm, while concussed young gun Will Pucovski has been ruled out of a Boxing Day Test debut.
Burns copped a nasty blow to the elbow on Saturday, when his unbeaten 51 helped Australia complete an eight-wicket win over India at Adelaide Oval.
The opener was clearly bothered after being struck by the Jasprit Bumrah delivery but batted on, finding form as he outscored India's entire second innings in the lopsided day-night Test.
There were fears Burns, who was sent for scans, could join Australia's extensive injury list.
But the Queenslander has been cleared of a broken arm and is set to open at the MCG, where the hosts will pursue a 2-0 series lead in the four-Test series.
Pat Cummins was full of praise for "tough opener" Burns.
"He didn't have the runs on the board that he would have liked coming here but great call from the selectors and Painey (Tim Paine) to keep him in the side," Cummins said.
The identity of Burns' opening partner remains up in the air, although the growing expectation is that Australia will stick with an unchanged XI and give David Warner a further week and a half to recover from his groin strain.
Warner, who rushed to Melbourne on Saturday amid growing concerns about Sydney's COVID-19 cluster, is yet to give up hope of convincing medicos and coach Justin Langer he is ready for the rigours of Test cricket.
Time is against the former vice-captain, although he is renowned for his fitness and has been working diligently in recent weeks.
Recalling Warner, be it for the second or third Test, will mean a member of the middle order has to make way.
Cameron Green, who bowled nine overs in India's first innings then clutched a low catch to dismiss Virat Kohli as they slumped to a record-low total of 36 on day three, and Travis Head are the obvious candidates.
Matthew Wade served as a makeshift opener in Adelaide, sharing a 70-run stand with Burns in the final innings of the pink-ball Test.
"Who knows if it's going to be for one or two Tests ... I'll give it a good crack," Wade said of his new role at the top of the order.
Pucovski, who suffered a concussion when struck on the helmet during a recent tour game, has been ruled out of the second Test.
Australia are adopting an understandably conservative approach as the Victorian recovers from his ninth concussion.
Australia's Test squad will train on Monday and travel to Melbourne on Tuesday, as planned.
