The Australia national cricket team faces a selection dilemma for their upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, as Josh Hazlewood is expected to be available for selection. With Hazlewood on track to recover from his calf injury, the selectors will need to decide how to fit three fast bowlers in the squad.
Australia clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1. Josh Hazlewood played in the first Test before being ruled out of the Melbourne Test due to injury. Josh Hazlewood made a return for the third Test, but a calf injury sidelined him for the last two matches. Scott Boland featured in three matches during the series in his absence.
Josh Hazlewood Returns to Full Fitness After Missing Last Two BGT Tests
Pat Cummins decided to skip the upcoming Sri Lanka tour because his wife, Becky, is due to give birth to their second child. This has created an opportunity for Scott Boland. There has been growing support for Boland to be part of Australia’s first-choice XI, even once Josh Hazlewood returns to full fitness.
However, Boland might have been dropped due to Sri Lanka’s spin-friendly conditions, as the team is likely to play two seamers and two spinners, or potentially even three spinners. Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy could be Australia’s first-choice spinners for India’s last series in the WTC 2023-25 cycle.
Scott Boland At Risk of Missing Out on Test Series vs Sri Lanka
Mitchell Starc has overcome rib pain and is expected to be fit for the tour. Selectors face a challenge in fitting three fast bowlers into just one or two spots, with Scott Boland potentially at risk of missing out despite his impressive performance in the fifth and final Test against India in Sydney, according to a report in AAP.
Another potential factor complicating the fast-bowling selection is Beau Webster, who made a remarkable debut, becoming the first Australian in 11 years to score a half-century and take a wicket in his first Test match.
He’s Well and Truly Good Enough in Test Cricket – Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins praised Scott Boland for his consistency and skill. Cummins described Scott Boland as a reliable and classy bowler. Pat Cummins also showered rich praise on Beau Webster. The Australian all-rounder Beau Webster had an impactful debut in Sydney, where he showcased his all-rounder capabilities.
“Whenever he comes in, you just know he is a seasoned pro, he has been doing it for years for Victoria. He’s well and truly good enough in Test cricket. He proves it time and time again. He bowls into the wind a lot of the time as well, so his figures are probably better than they show. “You know what you’re going to get from Scotty, and it’s class every day,” Cummins said.
“Beau was huge (in Sydney). He is one of those quintessential allrounders where you feel like they are going to contribute in every facet of the game. That’s what he does for Tasmania, and proved that. (He) bowled some really important overs, (took) great catches and (made) two really important knocks,” he added.
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