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IND vs AUS, 3rd BGT Test: Hazlewood replaces Scott Boland in Australia’s playing XI for the 3rd Test of the ongoing five-match series against India, which is set to start on Saturday, December 14, in Brisbane.
India vs Australia, 3rd BGT Test: Josh Hazlewood to play in third Test against India. (Picture Credit: AFP)
India National Cricket Team vs Australia National Cricket Team, 3rd BGT Test: Star fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will play for Australia in the third Test against India. The third Test between India and Australia is scheduled to take place at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18. Hazlewood, who has 278 wickets to his name in 71 Tests played so far, picked up five wickets in the series opener played against India at Optus Stadium in Perth last month.
Hazlewood was ruled out of the second Test due to injury-related issues, and in his place Scott Boland played in the day-night Test, which the Aussies won by 10 wickets inside three days to level the ongoing five-match series.
Hazlewood is the only change in Australia’s playing XI for the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“Josh comes back in … had no hiccups,” Australian captain Pat Cummins said on Friday. “Had a really good bowl yesterday (Thursday); had another good bowl in Adelaide a few days previous. He and the medical team are super confident.”
But with the final three Tests of the series to be played across a 25-day period, Cummins said he expected Boland to be used again at some point this summer.
“It’s tough; he was fantastic in Adelaide,” Cummins said. “He’s unfortunately spent a fair bit of time on the bench over the past 18 months. And whenever he’s played, he’s been fantastic.”
“A shame for Scotty, but still a fair bit to play out this series. I would be surprised if he doesn’t get another crack at some point.”
Hazlewood’s record at The Gabba
Hazlewood, who is Australia’s fourth-leading wicket-taker in Test cricket against India, has played a total of eight Tests so far at the iconic stadium in Brisbane and has 37 wickets to his name. In the last Test for Australia at The Gabba against the West Indies in January 2024, Hazlewood picked up two wickets in the first innings and accounted for the dismissal of three Windies batters in the 2nd innings.
Australia’s playing XI for third Test: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (WK) Pat Cummins (C), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
