The national selectors face the tough task of choosing between Australian stalwart Josh Hazlewood and Victorian hero Scott Boland for next week’s Boxing Day Test against South Africa at the MCG.
Hazlewood missed the Adelaide Test against the West Indies after suffering a minor side strain, opening the door for Boland to return to the Australian starting eleven for the first time in 11 months.
See Australia v South Africa. All test matches live and commercial break in play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
The 33-year-old quickly proved that last summer’s Ashes demolition was no fluke, taking a three-wicket maiden at the Adelaide Oval to help Australia claim a comprehensive 419-run victory over the West Indies.
Boland currently averages 10.36 with the ball in Australian whites, the lowest in Test history for players who have taken at least 25 wickets.
However, Hazlewood’s imminent return creates a headache for manager Andrew McDonald and national selectors George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide.
Speaking to Channel 7 on Sunday, the New South Welshman hinted he could be available for the Christmas Day Test but a final decision would not be made until Christmas Eve.
Australian selectors still trust Warner | 01:07
“(My chances are) much better after today’s session,” Hazlewood said.
“Everything feels great and I don’t feel the side at all, so fingers crossed.
“I had a little bowl on the Friday back in Sydney and I started going down a few paces and I went back to mid-race on Friday and it went really well today. I was back to pretty much a full race and about 85-90 per cent of intensity
“Everything is going well and according to plan.”
It would be hard to justify Hazlewood’s omission for the MCG Test given his unblemished 58-plus game record, but there would be riots at Yarra Park if Boland was left out.
Twelve months ago, Boland became a fan favorite and cemented his name in Ashes folklore after taking 6/7 against England in the corresponding match. His dedicated legion of fans in the Victorian capital would not be impressed if he brought the drinks next week.
Scott Boland from Australia. Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images Source: Getty Images
LOWEST TEST BOWLING AVERAGE IN HISTORY
10.36 — Scott Boland
10.75 — George Lohmann
12.70 — JJ Ferris
13.00 — Axar Patel
15.00 — Albert Trott
* Minimum 25 Test wickets
“I would love another chance to have a bowl on Christmas Day,” Boland said Tribune ABC Sunday.
“I really enjoyed the crowd support last year.
“I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing. I’ve got to keep bowling well and try to make the decision for the coaches and the selectors very difficult.”
Chairman of selectors Bailey admitted there was now little difference between Hazlewood and Boland in the Australian bowling hierarchy.
“(Boland) was on the radar at the MCG last year because of exactly what we’ve seen him do – hit a length, and his ability to take multiple wickets at the same time speaks to how consistent he is and the questions he asks. he asks the batsman from the first ball,” Bailey said.
“Josh is coming back really well. He had another really good run and I think he’s close to 90 percent.
“It will continue to build and of course we have a decision to make, but it’s a good problem to have.
“… Indeed, Uzzie (Usman Khawaja) was in the same position last summer. Travis (Head) gets the nod in the first Test (at Khawaja’s ground, the Gabba). Uzzie waits, gets his chance and takes it.
“And that’s a very important part of who this team is right now, that when you have that opportunity, you take it. You go in, there’s a very clear role you can play.
“Barrel (Boland) is doing it, he’s been fantastic. Hoff (Hazlewood) obviously has for a long, long time as well.
“…it’s clear we have to make a decision, but it’s a good problem to have. I’m very happy that it’s a difficult decision to make.”
Speaking to reporters at the post-match press conference on Sunday, Australian captain Pat Cummins acknowledged it would be a difficult decision.
“Even looking at the first test of the summer was a tough call after the summer he had last year,” Cummins said.
“We are still talking about the next six months: we have some important tours and we will need more than 11 players.
“To be able to bring someone like Josh Hazlewood off the bench, it’s going to be hard for anyone to miss.”
Adding to the complexity of the situation is Boland’s excellent record at the MCG, where he averages 24.35 in first-class cricket. Hazlewood, meanwhile, averages 35.69 at the iconic venue.
Australia’s Josh Hazlewood. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
READ MORE
‘OPEN SOME OLD SCARS’: Test carnage damaged more than Gabba’s reputation
‘IT’S TIME’: Pressure mounts on Warner to make retirement call
Former Australian opener Simon Katich argued that Boland should get the nod over Hazlewood because the Bendemeer Bullet doesn’t have enough red-ball cricket under his belt.
“I think (Boland) is one of the first picks right now because it just adds to the pressure,” Katich said. NO Breakfast on Monday morning.
“Even when he didn’t take wickets in the first innings in Adelaide, he was still building the pressure at one end and the other players were reaping the rewards.
“As we’ve seen, he’s got that ability to be able to take multiple wickets in one over and I think that’s because he’s on top of the stumps and around with both-way movement at good pace.
“He just asks really tough questions of the new batsman when they come to the crease and I think he has to play.
“No disrespect to Josh Hazlewood, who is a class player, but he has done little.
“He didn’t play any red-ball cricket before the Perth Test, he got injured and I’m not sure he’ll be back straight away.”
Hazlewood has played just three Tests since February 2021 due to injuries and Australia’s preference for two strike spinners in the subcontinent.
The 31-year-old self-confessed three-format player has taken its toll on his body, identifying workload management as a priority over the coming months.
“I guess it’s been a frustrating period, particularly with the red ball … the white ball has been going really well in recent years,” Hazlewood said.
“I guess that’s the cost of playing all three formats and putting all your energy into every little game you play.
“You don’t have that time either to build up your strength or to build up the workload to prepare for a test match.
“Maybe we should look into that and find a way around it somehow.”
The second Test between Australia and South Africa begins at the MCG on Christmas Day, with the first over scheduled for 10.30pm AEDT.