Scott Boland and the problem Australia likes to have

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There is certainly nothing more Scott Boland can do to become one of the first-choice names in Australia’s attack.

So far in his stellar eight-match career, taking 33 wickets at 2.57pm, Boland’s chances have all come in the absence of others. However, in the wake of securing the World Test Championship final at The Oval, captain Pat Cummins said Josh Hazlewood, who was ruled out of facing India but was said to be “very close” to play, would be available are to meet England on Friday. .

While Cummins spoke, Hazlewood completed an eight-over practice on the outfield at The Oval where minutes before Nathan Lyon secured Australia the mace.

“Josh is in a really good position so he will be available for selection next week,” Cummins said. “I think he’s had two periods today and feels great, so he’s got quite a bit of work done and his body feels good.”

Moments earlier, in the aftermath of the award ceremony victory, Cummins had named Boland its “favorite” player, though such a criterion is unlikely to carry much weight in the selection.

Heading into the final day against India, Boland, Australia’s top striker in the test, didn’t really need to do more to advance his claims as a first-choice attacker, but he added to his already substantial anyway excellent work.

He worked brilliantly over Virat Kohli off the stump, making him unsure of what to play and off, before prompting him to drive with a very wide throw. The lead quickly flew to Steven Smith’s right at second slip where he had an excellent catch. Any nightly uncertainty (or hope) evaporated.

Two balls later and the game was over and dusted when he found Ravindra Jadeja’s perimeter from around the wicket. It was the sixth time in his eight Tests that he had taken several wickets, a trait that began with that magical debut spell at the MCG. Only Jadeja himself could match that, having also taken multiple wickets in more than six times in eight Tests in the same period.

“I feel like we’re getting too used to Scotty Boland just doing that,” Cummins said. “He just keeps finding another level, doesn’t he? He’s incredible. He’s just our best bowler all game. He kept it together” [and] didn’t go for many runs. Always looked menacing. Getting two wickets in a row was just a reward for how well he bowled all game.”

While Australia has regularly said they should probably run their darts through the Ashes – which is why the concept of just one ‘first pick’ attack is probably outdated – it would seem extraordinary if Boland isn’t lining up at Edgbaston, barring any injuries. So the question becomes to involve him.

The feeling for the final was that if Hazlewood had been fit, or if this had been a one-off game for Australia with no Ashes to follow, he would have played. With 222 wickets at 25.83 and England’s 36 at 23.58 it’s hard to say this would have been the wrong call. Earlier this year, returning from injury against South Africa in Sydney, he played for Boland and took five wickets in the match.

So after all this it might not be Boland vs Hazlewood. That brings Mitchell Starc back into the spotlight. He was the costliest of Australia’s quicks at The Oval, though he showed his worth by removing Kohli in the first innings with a vicious lifter and helped clear the lower order in the second.

Interestingly, he was demoted from new ball in the second innings: only 12 previous occasions in 148 Test innings had he not shared opening duties. However, Cummins downplayed any significance during the move.

“I don’t think I would look at that too much,” he said. “We did that last Ashes series too. We chop and change the opening bowlers depending on our feel. The ball moves a bit differently than a Kookaburra. It can swing a bit more after a few overs than it does after the first few.

“I thought Starcy bowled well, especially today. He played a role for us that we know Starcy can fulfill after 80 Test matches. Again, his runs, we talked about Mitchell Starc, the bowler, but he also carries always up to date with the bat. He’s got a huge tour ahead of him. The English side is also putting up something else, there are a few more left-handers. Really happy with where Starcy is at.”

So someone with an average under 15 in Test cricket, someone with more than 300 wickets or someone with more than 200 wickets will not be in the XI on Friday. As captains, coaches and selectors like to say: it’s a good problem to have. But it is still one of the most fascinating decisions Australia has faced in recent times.

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