India avoid follow-on as Australia set to lose seamer Josh Hazlewood for rest of Test series due to calf injury

Josh Hazlewood suffered a calf injury in the warm-up on day four of the third Test in Australia's series against India. The day was hit by more rain and the pressure was on India to avoid a follow-on. Jaspit Bumrah and Akash Deep combined to get the visitors over the line, leaving just day five remaining for either side to force a result, though poor weather is also expected tomorrow.

India avoided the follow-on in the third Test against Australia, with the home side expecting the injured Josh Hazlewood to miss the rest of the series.

For a spell, the follow-on looked inevitable as the visitors were reduced to 213-9 on another day hit by poor weather.

From there, they needed another 33 runs to force Australia to bat for a second time in Brisbane, and a last-wicket stand from Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep took them past the threshold.

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With rain set to hit the final day of the Test, India celebrated the achievement as it made it almost impossible for Australia to force a result, and the series is currently level at 1-1.

India finished the day's play on 252-9, with Australia leading by 193.

Australia were hampered in their hunt for the last wicket. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc had to take on the bulk of bowling duties as a result of Hazlewood’s absence following a calf injury.

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India need to win two of the remaining three Tests if they want to be sure of a spot in next June’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s.

Australia need two more victories in this Test for a spot, though they have another series, against Sri Lanka, to earn the necessary points to get to next year’s competition.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

For the final two Tests against India, Australia will almost certainly have to do without Hazlewood. The 33-year-old felt discomfort in his calf in the warm-up for day four, and bowled just one over in the morning session before leaving the field.

The seamer was sent for scans, and Australia said he is likely to miss the upcoming Tests, in Melbourne and Sydney.

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