Hazlewood van mystery solved after Gabba ‘drama’ as Aussie XI firms for third Test

The sidelined Aussie quick is firming as a starter for the crucial third Test after a mysterious Gabba exit was explained.

Josh Hazlewood looks a likely starter for the third Test against India after a mysterious Gabba exit was explained.

Hazlewood was hoping to prove his fitness after missing the Adelaide Test due to a side strain, with the green Gabba wicket looking favourable to the bowlers.

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After rain earlier in the week forced them indoors at Allan Border Field, Thursday was due to be Australia’s main training session at the Gabba.

But Hazlewood didn’t bowl a ball in public, with Code Sports’ Daniel Cherny tweeting on Thursday evening: “Drama at the Gabba.

“Josh Hazlewood has just been whisked off in a van with Mitchell Starc and bowling coach Daniel Vettori.”

Nine News showed Starc jokingly pulling a hat over his face to cover it as the group left the Gabba.

Josh Hazlewood is looking more likely to play than not.

But Cricket Australia later explained the pair were heading to Allan Border Field so they could bowl off their full run-ups, joined by spare batsman Josh Inglis and Queensland Bulls player Lachlan Hearne in the nets.

Having made it through a 45-minute session in the Queensland heat, as long as Hazlewood pulls up well he appears a certainty to replace Scott Boland in an otherwise unchanged Aussie XI.

Meanwhile, question marks remained about the fitness of Indian opening bowler Jasprit Bumrah ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster clash in Brisbane.

The superstar bowler, who is the current leading wicker-taker in the series with 12 wickets at 11.25, missed Tuesday’s training session along with fellow Indian opener Mohammed Siraj, who copped a fine of 20 per cent of his match fee (roughly $16,500) for a heated on-field exchange with Travis Head.

Jasprit Bumrah receiving treatment during the second Test at Adelaide Oval. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Bumrah, who received medical assistance from the team physio during his 20th over in Australia’s first innings with what appeared to be an upper leg injury before his bowling speeds went down thereafter, on Tuesday spent time with India’s strength and conditioning coach away from the main group.

India assistant coach Morne Morkel said Bumrah was simply dealing with cramp, but doubts still surround his availability.

“There’s got to be some serious doubts,” former Australian pacer Damien Fleming said of Bumrah’s fitness on SEN Radio.

“Siraj might be workload (related) but I’m bemused Bumrah bowled that over. They could have hid this. They showed their hand.

“There’s no way that’s cramp. He was very ginger after the break in the first innings.

“He bowled again, not quite as slow second innings. I don’t even know why he bowled that over (in the second innings). That actually gave some secrets away to everyone.”

Originally published as Hazlewood van mystery solved after Gabba ‘drama’ as Aussie XI firms for third Test