Australia are in a battle with time and weather in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) against India at the Gabba as they aim to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. The hosts were hit with a major blow in their hopes of forcing a result as star pacer Josh Hazlewood left the field on Day 4 and is not bowling.

This has reduced the home team to a four-man attack including all-rounder Mitchell Marsh with skipper Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon the only specialist bowlers on the field as Australia aim to enforce a follow-on on India.

Hazlewood bowled one over for Australia in the first session on Tuesday (December 17) and walked off the field after a long conversation with skipper Cummins, vice-captain Steve Smith, and the team's physiotherapist.

"An Australian team spokesperson said he was suffering from "calf awareness" with the fast bowler set to undergo medical scans to determine the extent of the injury.It puts him in doubt to be able to bowl again in this innings," said Cricket Australia in a statement.

Hazlewood's injury will come as the major cause of concern for Australia, as the pacer had missed the second Test in Adelaide due to a side strain. The 33-year-old recovered in time for the third Test and replaced Scott Boland in the lineup despite the latter's impressive display in the pink-ball Test.

Hazlewood took the wicket of Virat Kohli on the third day of play as the Indian legend departed after making just three runs.

Hazlewood's injury is likely to put Australia in two minds about enforcing a follow-on if they manage to dismiss India for a score lower than 245. While only five sessions are left in the match, it remains to be seen if Australia chose to bowl again despite being a bowler short.

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