Victorian hero Scott Boland will play the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, with Australian captain Pat Cummins confirming Josh Hazlewood will not return for the second Test against South Africa.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday morning, Cummins revealed that Australia would make no changes to their starting eleven from the series opener in Brisbane.
Hazlewood missed the second Test against the West Indies in Adelaide and last week’s Gabba Test against the Proteas due to a minor side strain complaint.
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The new South Welshman, who has taken 217 Test wickets since his debut in 2014, declared himself not ready to return for the Christmas Day Test, saving the national selectors from making a difficult decision.
“We gave Joshy (Hazlewood) every chance, but he got to a stage where (he) more than anyone else felt a little bit slighted,” Cummins explained.
“It’s a mark of the man really, he himself said, ‘You’re not feeling well’, so he’s out of the squad.
“We talk a lot about how (as a team) we need a team mentality and I think that’s another great example.”
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Despite playing just five Tests since his debut, Boland has become a household name for his remarkable performances in Australian whites, averaging 10.36 with the ball.
The pace won 6-7 on Test debut at the MCG last summer, demolishing England’s middle order and cementing their name in Ashes folklore.
Speaking to reporters at the MCG on Friday, Boland said he did not know if he would get another chance to represent his country on Christmas Day.
“I’m not sure. I hope so, but I’m not sure,” Boland said.
“I haven’t heard anything, basically.
“Obviously I’m really looking forward to playing, but I think we’ll have a couple of great training sessions over the next few days.”
Over the past four summers, Boland has taken 49 first-class wickets at 13.41 in seven matches at the MCG.
Australia’s Josh Hazlewood. Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images Source: Getty Images
Australia’s XI for the Boxing Day Test
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon