Australia’s third cricket Test against India has been delayed for at least two hours because of morning rain.
Thursday’s match had been due to start at 1500 (AEDT).
On-field umpire Richard Kettleborough says more rain is expected which could cause a lengthy delay.
The rain has stopped and about 20 ground staff are attempting to sweep water off the covers on the centre-wicket area in a laborious process.
Michael Clarke’s men have made four changes to their lineup following this week’s shock suspension of four players for failing to complete homework assignments.
Injured wicketkeeper Matthew Wade (ankle) has been replaced by Brad Haddin who arrived earlier this week as a standby player.
Vice-captain Shane Watson and pace bowler James Pattinson had already been omitted for disciplinary reasons over the homeworkgate affair while squad members Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Johnson were also declared unavailable for the third Test.
Offspinning allrounder Glenn Maxwell has been dropped after debuting in the second Test in Hyderabad.
Apart from 43-Test veteran Haddin’s inclusion, young batsman Steve Smith has been recalled along with pace bowler Mitchell Starc and offspinner Nathan Lyon.
Smith hasn’t added to his five Test caps since January 2011. The 23-year-old will bat at No.5 while the in-form Clarke has elevated himself from No.5 to No.3 in the batting order.
Australia’s bowling attack will feature only two frontline quicks – Peter Siddle and Starc – plus seam-bowling allrounder Moises Henriques and spinners Lyon and Xavier Doherty.
The pitch looked brown and dry on Wednesday and was already starting to crack, however heavy rain on Thursday morning has meant the centre-wicket area has been under cover.
India have promoted debutant Shikhar Dhawan for dumped opener Virender Sehwag.
Australia trail two-nil in the four-match series.
Umpires Kettleborough and Aleem Dar are due to inspect the pitch at 11am (1630 AEDT).
Australia: Michael Clarke (capt), David Warner, Ed Cowan, Phil Hughes, Steve Smith, Brad Haddin, Moises Henriques, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Xavier Doherty.
