Follow UsWith a ludicrous bowling average of 16.53, Australia’s Scott Boland statistically stands tall as one of the greatest bowlers of all time, and he will be expected to play a massive role in the forthcoming Ashes Down Under, with skipper Pat Cummins a major doubt due to a back injury.
But few back in England believe that Boland’s inclusion will work in their favour, with the Victorian not having enjoyed the best of Ashes campaigns in England in 2023. Boland played 2 Tests in the Ashes 2023 but could only manage two wickets at an average of 115, with him going at nearly five an over.
However, on the back of all that chatter, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has now sent a stern warning to England, asserting that Boland will be at his deadly best in Australian conditions. And to prove his point, McDonald took the words of former India Test skipper Rohit Sharma.
"Scotty was challenged with some lack of bounce in benign conditions in England. I think conditions sort of conspired a little bit against him,” McDonald said, reported Cricket.com.au.
"I know there's been some press around 'England have worked Scott Boland out'. But when he comes back into the Australian conditions, he gets bounce, hits the rope [seam] - he's a handful.
"And as we saw last year against India, Rohit Sharma rated him the best [bowler] of that series. That's a huge compliment from an opposing captain.
"We're confident and comfortable 'Baz' [Boland] can get the job done in Australia as he has over a long period of time – and bounce will be his friend."
Boland is one of Australia’s four first-choice seamers alongside the Big 3, but McDonald is confident that there’s enough quality in the domestic circuit for the Kangaroos to bank on, should one of the incumbents (likely Cummins) need replacing.
"It'd be nice if we sat back at the end of the summer and said there were only four fast bowlers used," McDonald said.
"I feel like we've got some good options if we do get stretched, which is one of the great things of domestic cricket in Australia."
The first Ashes Test will be played from November 21 in Perth. England have not won a Test in Australia in 14 years, and lost won a Test (and series) back in the 2010/11 Ashes, which they won 3-1.