Australia announces playing XI for Gabba Test, Josh Hazlewood returns (Photo by Sarah Reed – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
Star pacer Josh Hazlewood returned to the playing XI for the third Test against India at Gabba. He missed the second Test of the series owing to a side strain, but soon after the completion of the Adelaide game, Hazlewood returned to training. However, there were doubts that the pacer would recover on time. The 33-year-old previously noted that he did not suffer a serious injury, but since it’s early into the series, he could afford to take a break.
Hazlewood replaced Scott Boland for the third Test. The 35-year-old had a great time in Adelaide, picking up five wickets but Australia doesn’t want to break the trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood. In the first Test in Perth, Hazlewood was in good form as well, picking up a four-wicket haul in the innings and one in the second. Keeping that in mind, the cricketer walked straight back into the playing XI.
Meanwhile, the form of Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith is currently concerning. Both the senior batters have failed to establish their authority in the middle, resulting in Australia losing quick wickets early on. Former international David Warner wasn’t convinced by Marnus Labushchagne’s half-century in the last game and Nathan McSweeney is extremely new to the set-up and expecting good, consistent performance from the youngster may not be a fair ask.
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That is one area that India would want to damage. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will be key with the new ball for the visitors and if they manage to clinch a few early wickets, Travis Head can be exposed early on. The flamboyant Australia batter has troubled India so far in the Test series and given his form, the 30-year-old can once again be a reason for a headache for the Rohit Sharma-led side.
The third Test holds extreme importance to both teams as the winner can take the lead in the series, which is crucial ahead of the Melbourne and Sydney Tests. They are still in contention for the WTC final and the momentum going to the final two Tests will be important.
“Josh comes back in … had no hiccups,” Cummins said. “Had a really good bowl yesterday, had another good bowl in Adelaide a few days previous. He and the medical team are super confident.” The decision leaves Boland unlucky to miss out after consistently strong performances. “It’s tough, he was fantastic in Adelaide,” Cummins admitted.
“Whenever he’s played, he’s been fantastic. A shame for Scotty, but there’s still a lot of cricket left this summer. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t get another crack at some point”, he added.
Australia Playing XI
Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk) Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
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