Australia has rested pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood for the remainder of the home international season which includes the remaining three ODIs of the five match series and the following three T20 internationals.
The home side is already missing their premier fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Patt Cummins owing to injury, with senior paceman Mitchell Johnson announcing retirement.
Pacer John Hastings has been retained as Hazlewood’s replacement for the third ODI, set to take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday.
Hastings had also played the second ODI at Brisbane with Hazlewood being rested.
Commenting on the decision, Australia's head coach Darren Lehmann said, "Josh has played all six Tests this summer and has had a high workload.
"On that basis the decision has been made to give him a break to allow him to recharge both physically and mentally ahead of the tour of New Zealand.
"We regard it as sensible management of the player and it is an approach that we have adopted successfully in Australian cricket over a significant period of time, especially in the one-day format."
The Australia squad for the final two matches of the series will be announced after the match in Melbourne.
Australia lead 2-0 in the five match ODI series against India.
