Australia have confirmed their playing XI for the 3rd Test of the Border-Gavaskar which is set to be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14. Star pacer Josh Hazlewood is set to replace fellow seamer Scott Boland for the 3rd Test against India.
Hazlwood had missed the second Test in Adelaide due to a side strain, and even though Boland performed well in the pink-ball Test, the former being fit meant that the latter’s snub was inevitable. Australia skipper Pat Cummins remarked that Boland has performed well whenever he has got the chance, however with the series at stake, Hazlewood had an automatic selection.
“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,” Cummins told reporters.
The Gabba is one of the fastest pitches in Australia, however India managed to get the better of the Baggy Greens the last time that the 2 sides met at the venue. However, that match was played in January and according to the pitch curator at the Gabba, pitches in matches played before Christmas have more life than the pitches used in matches in January.
Australia’s playing XI for 3rd Test: 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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