Scott Boland, Australia’s famous MCG debutant, has retained his place for the New Year’s Ashes Test at the SCG as spearhead Josh Hazlewood is yet to fully recover from his injury. Australia will also not take a risk with the injury to Jhye Richardson, confirmed skipper Pat Cummins.
Hazlewood is still under rehab from the side strain he picked up in the first Test at the Gabba and is now set to miss three back to back Tests because of the untimely injury. The lead pacer is hoping to be fit for the final Ashes Test against England in Hobart, a D/N affair starting January 14.
Australia have also opted not to fast-track Richardson back into the Test line-up after he complained of leg soreness following the end of the Adelaide Test, where the young, promising quick bagged a five-fer in the second innings.
Injuries to both Hazlewood and Richardson have inadvertently helped Cummins not to take the tough call on Boland, who risked being benched if Hazlewood recovered despite making a memorable debut in the Boxing Day Test.
Boland, the Victorian right-arm quick and only second male indigenous player after Jason Gillespie to represent Australia in Test cricket, had a great maiden outing at his home ground. He lit up the MCG with an astonishing spell of six wickets for just seven runs to wrap up the Test and the Ashes in the second innings.
“It would have been a shame to see Scotty not to play this week after his efforts last week so it’s unfortunate for Josh, I feel for him, but really glad he gets another crack at it.
I doubt it will be 6 for 7 but I did say nothing more than last week, don’t try any harder,”
Cummins was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo, with the fourth Test set to kick off on January 5.
The captain had earlier “earmarked” Boland for the SCG Test as well, as injuries have unintentionally given Australia a chance to spread the pace net wider and test their depth as they go deeper into a challenging World Test Championship cycle.
