Follow UsAustralia shocked the entire world when they announced a playing XI with no Nathan Lyon in it for the third Test against the West Indies, on July 12 (Saturday). It was the first time that they had fielded four front-line pacers in a single clash, after 2012, when they played a four-man pace unit against India.
What led to that decision? Tony Dodemaide had earlier clarified that it was based on the conditions in the West Indies, and the game being a pink-ball Test. Scott Boland has now opened up about the possibility of Australia playing four specialist pacers in future.
"It's cool to play with three of the best fast bowlers that Australia's ever had, I've been pretty lucky there," Boland said, reported Cricket.com.au.
"I feel like it makes my job a fair bit easier when you got those three guys … so pretty cool to play with those guys, especially with 'Starcy' (Mitchell Starc) in his 100th Test."
"You can see when 'Gaz' (Lyon) bowls with a pink ball, especially in Adelaide, he gets it bouncing and spinning a lot," Boland said.
"So it was probably only going to be a one-off.
Australia, playing four pacers, gave Scott Boland the unique opportunity to feature in a full-strength Australian playing XI. Boland did not disappoint either, with figures of 3/34 in 13.1 overs, and turned out to be their best bowler in the clash.
"I'd like to play as many games as I could, especially with those other three guys.
"But I probably see it going back to the norm, especially once we get 'Greeny' (Cameron Green) back bowling for the summer as well.
"(Lyon) has been great. Once he found out from the selectors, he pretty much text me straight away.
"Unfortunate for him, but I think he's going to come straight back in next game, wherever we play."
Despite bowling the hosts out for 143, Australia could not take a big advantage heading into day three, as they are reeling at 99/6, with just a 181-run lead in the third Test in Jamaica.