Australia v India 4th test: Marcus Harris to replace Will Pucovski, India gamble on Jasprit Bumrah

India could risk playing a man down if they roll the dice on Jasprit Bumrah, while Marcus Harris looks to make the most of his recall.

India's Jasprit Bumrah reacts after the catch of Australia's captain Tim Paine was dropped on the fourth day of the third cricket Test match between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney on January 10, 2021. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE —

India is considering taking a major gamble by playing injured superstar Jasprit Bumrah in Brisbane as tensions rose amid a mid-session training lockout at the Gabba.

Bumrah (abdominal strain) appeared certain to miss the fourth Test, but India will give its prized seamer until an hour before play to prove he can lead its attack.

But if Bumrah, 27, breaks down during the series-deciding match then he will not be able to be replaced and India is also conscious that it hosts England in a four-Test series starting next month.

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Jasprit Bumrah has added to India’s injury woes.

BCCI officials told Gabba security it did not want its final training session filmed on Thursday as fans and media watching from the nearby Queensland Cricketers’ Club were booted out on to Vulture St.

The radio message to security officers came as a shock and India remained cagey last night by repeatedly refusing to say whether Bumrah or opener Mayank Agarwal (hand) were available.

“The injuries are still being monitored. Our medical staff is working with all the players,” batting coach Vikram Rathour said on Thursday night.

“We would like to give them as much time as we can.

“We’ll need to wait to tomorrow morning to know how fit (Bumrah) is. If he can play he will play.”

Batsman Rishabh Pant has told teammates that Steve Smith’s footwork on the SCG pitch had no impact on his destructive knock on Monday.

“Basically we didn’t even know about that incident. Only after the game and after the media picked it up we noticed it,” Rathour said.

“Rishabh wasn’t even aware, actually. It hardly mattered to him, because as a batsman he was not even aware.”

The Indian cricket team are furious over conditions in hotel quarantine. Picture: Lachie Millard.

Indian players are furious that they have been denied room service and daily housekeeping at Brisbane’s Sofitel Hotel due to Queensland Health’s strict quarantine measures.

But Rathour said that would not add to the motivation when play begins at the Gabba.

“You don’t need housekeeping or room service to motivate yourself,” Rathour said.

“Of course, these were concerns which were passed on to BCCI, and BCCI has been in touch with Cricket Australia.

“But as far as team management is concerned we are focused on the game.”

Indian sources said spinner Kuldeep Yadav was set to replace Ravindra Jadeja (thumb) and wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha would replace Hanuma Vihari (hamstring).

If Bumrah is replaced by debutant T Natarajan then that would leave Mohammed Siraj as India’s most experienced paceman in just his third Test.

India only needs a draw to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy, having defeated Australia 2-1 two years ago.

Rain is forecast on days two and four.

HOW HARRIS CAN ENSURE TEST RECALL ISN’T A ONE-OFF

Matthew Hayden has reissued a firm warning to new chum Marcus Harris that he must be prepared to “eat his meat and potatoes” before he chases a flash dessert at the Gabba.

The Brisbane batting great gave the same caution to Harris when he last played at the ground two summers ago, but the left-hander failed to heed it – slashing wildly square of the wicket to butcher a golden chance with a soft dismissal against Sri Lanka.

So far those kind of loose shots have defined Harris’ 9 Tests for Australia, but a shoulder injury to Will Pucovski has opened the door for him to be called back up for the first time since being dropped at the end of the 2019 Ashes.

Pucovski is a massive loss for Australia after he showed all the hallmarks of a career Test opener in Sydney, and Hayden says for Harris to finally make his mark in a do-or-die series decider, he must learn from his past mistakes and this time obey the laws of the Gabba.

The same rules Test great Bill Brown passed down to Hayden, Hayden is now pleading with Harris to follow: play straight down the ground and resist the temptation to play through cover, point and gully as if his life depends on it.

Marcus Harris goes after a ball outside off stump during his last Test innings at the Gabba.

“The challenge at the Gabba is you start seeing the ball well. It’s a big open ground, and it’s a wicket that always lulls you into a false sense of security,” said Hayden, who will join Channel 7’s commentary team at the Gabba.

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been out disappointed because I’ve even just thought about playing square of the wicket.

“You walk and call yourself an idiot because the moment you start looking straight, you bat longer, you bat time

“Someone like Marcus who is a very good square of the wicket player is always tempted to be in that situation where you start playing those shots too early and when you do that you’re at the risk of first, second, third slip, gully etc.

“It’s not just a fault of young Harris, it’s a fault of everyone who plays at the Gabba and you have to follow certain rules of play in these conditions.

“Billy Brown told me this and I assume someone else told Billy. Browny was always so adamant – playing down the ground is the key to batting at the Gabba.”

Marcus Harris prepares for his Test return in the Gabba nets.

Pucovski tried to muscle his way through a fitness test but couldn’t even manage to get out into the nets, after damaging his shoulder diving in the field at the SCG.

Captain Tim Paine admits Australian medical staff aren’t sure what shape Pucovski’s recovery will take, but there is hope he can avoid surgery and therefore book his place on the touring party for South African next month (presuming the tour goes ahead).

It’s the latest chapter in Pucovski’s extraordinary run of misfortune with selection at Test level that has seen him play his one and only match last week.

“He’ll have a bit of work to do with our medicos to see where he goes from here. There will be some discussions around Will’s recovery. What that looks like I’m not sure at the moment,” said Paine.

Will Pucovski of Australia dives for the ball and injures his shoulder

Hayden backed David Warner to lead the way for Harris and find a way to make an impact despite they physical and mental constraints of his groin injury.

Back in his playing days, Hayden said some of his best innings – including his world record 380 – were when he was physically impaired (that time with a back injury), and expects Warner to find the sweet spot on how to manage his body and mind.

“The best feeling in life is achieving something you never thought was possible,” said Hayden.

“For Davey I think he’ll thrive on that sort of pressure.”

Harris was in decent form back in the early rounds of the Sheffield Shield competition, but that’s nearly two months ago – and it’s been a month since he played a first-class match of any description.

The pattern of his career so far – both at Test and first-class level – has been to get starts, but often struggle to cash in.

Against a weakened Indian attack, possibly missing spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, Harris has an unexpected chance to make a name for himself ahead of the South African tour.

Originally published as Australia v India 4th test: Marcus Harris to replace Will Pucovski, India gamble on Jasprit Bumrah