Australia skipper Tim Paine expects Steve Smith to be fit for the first Test of the four-match series against India that begins Thursday, adding that the Aussie batting mainstay's absence from the nets on Wednesday due to stiff back could be a blessing in disguise.

"Obviously Dave (David Warner) won't be there but we expect Steve (Smith) to be there. Steve has obviously had a stiff back number of times before and you do when you bat at training as much as Steve does but look, his preparation has been very good since he has batted for the last week in Adelaide. So having him a day off would be a blessing in disguise," said Paine while speaking to reporters on the eve of the pink-ball Test to be played at the Adelaide Oval.