Bowl in tandem and knock them over: Ashwin's plan for Australia

Partnerships will hold the key not just in batting but bowling as well during India's Test clashes with Australia as the hosts cannot really be blown away in a single burst, visiting off-spinner R Ashwin said Friday.

India and Australia begin a four-match Test showdown from December 6 in Adelaide.

Ashwin said India got good bowling practice in the ongoing warm-up game ahead of the first Test here. Cricket Australia XI finished day three on 356-6 with Ashwin taking 1-63 from 24 overs and Mohammed Shami picking 3-67 from 18 overs.

"You have to stitch together partnerships even when bowling and it's very important to ascertain your role to get what you can out of the game," Ashwin said at the end of day's play.

"It's very important to soak together good partnerships as a bowling group then try and knock them over. You won't blow oppositions away, it might happen once in a while - but you have to get your noses ahead and keep it ahead," he said.

Ashwin said he expects the wickets to be flat, which would require his teammates to play "smart cricket through the series."