Hazlewood returns for third Test against India

Rangy pacer's inclusion is the only change to the home side who look to take 2-1 lead in five-Test series

MELBOURNE:

Josh Hazlewood will return to Australia's XI for the third Test against India in Brisbane after overcoming the side strain that ruled him out of the second match in Adelaide.

Captain Pat Cummins confirmed Scott Boland will make way for Hazlewood at the Gabba despite the paceman's five-wicket return in Australia's thumping 10-wicket win at Adelaide Oval.

Hazlewood's inclusion is the only change to the home side who will look to take a 2-1 lead in the five-test series. The rangy pacer from rural New South Wales has struggled with an array of injuries in recent years, making selectors cautious about bringing him back too quickly. But Cummins said he had ticked all the boxes in his preparations. "He's had no hiccups," Cummins told reporters on Friday. "He had a really good bowl yesterday, he had another bowl in Adelaide a couple of days previously. Him and the medical team are really confident."

Fan favourite Boland bowled well in Adelaide, claiming Perth century-maker Yashasvi Jaiswal and talisman Virat Kohli's wickets in the second innings of his first Test in a year-and-a-half. The big Victorian has now been dropped six times but Cummins said he may get another call-up in the series which wraps up in Melbourne and Sydney.

"It's tough. He was fantastic in Adelaide and unfortunately he's spent quite a lot of time on the bench in the last 18 months and whenever he plays he's fantastic," Cummins said. "It's a shame for Scotty but there's still a fair bit to play out this series so I'll be surprised if he doesn't get another crack at some point."

Inspired by the audacious batting of Rishabh Pant, India won a cliffhanger by three wickets when the teams last played a test at the Gabba in 2021. It sealed an unlikely 2-1 series win for the understrength tourists while ending Australia's 33-year unbeaten run at the Brisbane ground.

Australia have since been beaten by West Indies at the Gabba last summer, eroding its standing as the home side's fortress. "It's just a venue really. We play at dozens and dozens of venues each year," said Cummins. "It's always good coming back to a place that's familiar ... but the scoreboard starts at 0-0, so the venue isn't the be-all and end-all." Reuters

Nostalgic Gill savours return to Gabba after 2021 heroics

Facing fierce Australian pace on a bouncy Gabba pitch is among the toughest assignments a touring batter can face but India's Shubman Gill will approach the task with a clear head in the third test starting on Saturday. Nearly four years ago, the Gabba was the proving ground for Gill's test career in the deciding fourth match of the 2020-21 series.

A callow, 21-year-old opener playing in just his third test, Gill scored a brave 91 as an injury-depleted India chased down a record 328-run target for victory and sealed the series 2-1. Pugnacious wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was Player-of-the-Match for seeing India home with an unbeaten 89 but Gill was also hailed a hero in the subcontinent for his starring role in the thriller.

Little wonder Gill is glad to be back at the Gabba this week with the five-test series delicately poised at 1-1. "Definitely very nostalgic when I came here," the Punjabi told reporters on Friday. Just walking through the stadium again after the 2021 win felt very nostalgic.

"Definitely I feel pretty confident playing here."

Though captains generally turn up for press conferences on the eve of a test, Rohit was spared the duty on Friday and did not take part in training. "Yeah, this was an optional practice session and I think he practised enough," said Gill. He added that Rohit had demanded more from the batters as a collective in Brisbane after India were twice skittled for less than 200 in the pink ball test in Adelaide. "We are looking to post a big total first up," said Gill. "We are a bit more used to playing with the red ball in the day."