If England Want To Sledge, It's Fine: Australia Bowler On Upcoming Ashes Series

The five-match Test series between India and England had plenty of heated moments on the field. There were plenty of words exchanged between the players, which added extra spice to the contest.

However, the Ashes rivalry between England and Australia goes way back, and the intensity of the series has not reduced over the years. Australia pacer Scott Boland, however, is not too fazed about the prospect of England sledging during the series.

“Oh. They can do whatever they want when they are playing," Boland said, according to Fox Sports.

“I think we’ve been pretty consistent in the way we’ve played since I’ve been in around the squad for the last four years. I think nothing much has changed from how we play our cricket.

“Even going forward, it’s just going to be whoever takes and whoever wins those big moments in the games. And I know we have got match winners with the bat or the ball. So if they want to sledge, that’s fine. I don’t think it’s going to worry our guys too much.”

Boland was part of the four-pronged pace attack during the third Test of the recent series in the West Indies at the cost of Australia's premier spinner, Nathan Lyon. However, Boland believes his chances will be limited in the Ashes as Lyon has been a threat in all venues at home. But he's hopeful he will get a chance at some point.

“I hope so, but probably not in Australia. With our wickets, generally, Nathan is one of the best spin bowlers in the world [and] I think he can bowl in any conditions,” Boland said.

“He’s probably been the glue to our bowling line-up over the last few years. And then I probably see Greenie coming back and bowling a lot more ... so that probably hurts the chances of four quicks as well.”

Boland is yet to confirm his availability for the upcoming Sheffield Shield season, but he is hopeful of playing a couple of matches ahead of the Ashes, which will begin on November 21 in Perth.

“I’m just doing some gym and rehab and all that kind of stuff, just making sure I’m primed for the start of October, when we [have] got some Shield games. And then get ready for the Ashes,” he said.

“I feel like even [though] I’m getting a little bit older, I still think my skills getting better. I’m learning how to prepare better for each series now, because it’s not six months of playing cricket, it’s pretty much [getting] ready for three months a year here.

“Then [it is] go again, have a bit of a break, reset, get my body good, and then go again. So even though I’m in the twilight of my career, I’m still learning about what’s helping me and what’s getting me to be able to perform every time."

The 36-year-old has also backed fellow Victorian Marcus Harris to regain his opening spot following Sam Konstas' struggles in red-ball cricket lately. “I think it’s probably going to come down to whoever makes probably the most runs in the first three or four Shield games,” Boland said.

“I know there’s a handful of guys you could give it to that you know are going to do well. But I’d love to see Marcus Harris back.”

Boland has one of the best records in Test cricket, having picked up 62 wickets at an incredible average of 16.53, including a hat-trick in the recent series against the West Indies.