Hazlewood claims Oz holds 'psychological' advantage over India in Boxing Day Test

Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has claimed that his team holds the edge in the Boxing Day Test, saying that India's failure to intimidate the hosts has given his team a psychological advantage ahead of the match in Melbourne.

India tried to provoke pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson in the second Test in Brisbane, which Australia won by four wickets, but Hazlewood believes that it backfired on the tourists a little bit with them trying to get stuck into the Australian squad.

Australia currently lead the four-match series 2-0 after stand-in captain Steve Smith oversaw the win at the Gabba in the absence of Michael Clarke, who was injured during their 48-run victory in the first Test in Adelaide, the BBC reported.

Joe Burns is set to make his Test debut for Australia at the MCG in place of the injured Mitchell Marsh, who misses out with a hamstring problem, with pace bowler Ryan Harris fit again, the report added.