Boland destroyed the West Indies and South Africa in Hazlewood’s absence as he missed the last two games with a side strain. Through his first five Test matches, the Victorian has 25 wickets at a remarkable average of 10.36.
But the 33-year-old may not get to play in front of his home crowd on Boxing Day at the MCG, which would be heartbreaking. Boland appears to be the man who could be left out now that Hazlewood has declared himself suitable for selection.
The legendary Australian fast bowler Lee advises selectors to resist the urge to keep Boland in and reintroduce Hazlewood. Brett Lee said: “If Josh Hazlewood is fully fit, I‘d be going Josh Hazlewood. Nothing against Boland, he‘s a brilliant bowler and gets wickets for fun – but 58 Tests under his belt and 217 wickets in the ‘Hoff’ (Hazlewood).”
“He’s got to be fully fit though. Coming back from a side strain is really tough. When you think you’re ready, you’ve got to give an extra week. I think what Cricket Australia might do is rest him in Melbourne and play him up in Sydney.”
There are some other opinions in the cricketing circle as former captain Simon Katich has backed Scott Boland for another test match because he can’t see a why why Boland should make place for someone else.
25 wickets in five Tests, at a touch over 10 apiece.
Watch how Scott Boland’s bowling average has progressed since his debut! 📉 pic.twitter.com/nrMzHAQB0I
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 22, 2022
Steve Smith who captained the side in absence of Pat Cummins, has said that it will be dilemma for selectors to make a choice between Scott Boland and Josh Hazlewood.
“I think it’d be tough on Scotty if he gets left out for sure,” he said. “Boxing Day last year he was just incredible and he’s been incredible since he started.
“He’s got that ability to hit the stumps from probably a shorter length than a lot of the other bowlers being a little bit shorter and a bit skiddier, so brings in both sides of the bat, whereas Josh is probably a little bit more bouncy and brings in the outside edge more than the inside edge.
They’re both different and I think that’s the beauty with our attack at the moment. Everyone bowls slightly different, but they’re all really good at what they do.”
Scott Boland came all blazing picking up three in an over against West Indies and two in an over against South Africa. Some say that has has the golden arm and the astounding ability to take wickets out of nowhere situation.
When Boland decimated England on his Test debut at the MCG last summer, taking 6-7 in the second innings, he shocked the cricket world. However, Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc, Australia’s front-line pace attack, have all suffered injuries during his five Test appearances.