Aussie cricket hero brutally axed as Josh Hazlewood confirmed to return for third India Test

Pat Cummins has confirmed Josh Hazlewood will return for the third Test against India at the Gabba, with Nathan Lyion keeping his place and Scott Boland the unlucky man to miss out. Hazlewood bowled without issue at training on Thursday, and will come straight back into the XI after missing the second Test with a side strain.

Hazlewood took a big step towards playing against India at the Gabba when he got through an off-site net session in Brisbane. After initially going through some drills at the Gabba, he was whisked away alongside Mitchell Starc and bowling coach Dan Vettori to Allan Border Field nearby.

He then bowled to Josh Inglis in the nets for about 50 minutes and didn't appear bothered by a side issue that saw him miss the second Test. There was initially confusion as to why Hazlewood and Starc were rushed away from the Gabba, where fans and the media were watching eagerly.

But it was later revealed that the longer run-up space at Allan Border Field was preferred to that on offer at the Gabba. There's only 28 metres of run-up space at the nets at the Gabba, and Hazlewood requires more than that to fully stretch out.

Scott Boland dropped despite brilliant display in second Test

The fact he bowled at full-tilt and got through unscathed was enough for selectors to being Hazlewood straight back into the team. "Josh Hazlewood comes back. He's had no hiccups, he had a really good bowl yesterday and a few days previous," Cummins told reporters on Friday.

Boland is the unlucky man to miss out despite taking five wickets in Adelaide. "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."

With the pitch at the Gabba appearing green and offering plenty for the seamers, some suggested Lyon might be dropped so the Aussies could employ a four-pronged pace attack of Hazlewood, Starc, Boland and Cummins. But they've resisted the temptation, probably because Lyon has a good record on the bouncy Gabba deck.

RELATED:

• Fans saddened for Allan Border over brutal development after 25 years

• Steve Smith suffers embarrassing new blow as star sinks to 10-year first

Rohit Sharma set to move back to opener?

Meanwhile, India captain Rohit has given a strong indication that he'll return to the top of the order in the third Test. Rohit batted at No.6 in Adelaide, opting to keep KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top after their success in the first Test in Perth.

But the out-of-form captain spent time facing the new ball in the nets on Thursday, after Rahul and Jaiswal initially started in the nets while Sharma completed slips training. Rohit faced Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep with the new ball - something he didn't do in the lead-up to the second Test.

Rahul then returned to the nets later in the session, facing a semi-new ball alongside the likes of fellow middle-order batter Virat Kohli. The move seemed a huge clue that Rahul will drop down the order so Rohit can move back to opener.

Rohit made scores of 3 and 6 in India's 10-wicket loss in Adelaide, and has only gone past 20 twice in his past 12 Test innings. He missed the first Test to be at home with his wife while she gave birth.

Meanwhile, Bumrah also bowled without issue on Thursday and appears odds-on to play at the Gabba. The fast bowler was struggling with a groin problem in Adelaide, but has allayed injury concerns and looks like taking his place.

with AAP