Scott Boland has recently achieved a remarkable feat, boasting the best Test bowling average since World War I, further enhanced by his hat-trick during the recent Test in Jamaica. Despite this achievement, Boland has faced the disappointment of being dropped from the Australian Test squad seven times, primarily to accommodate legendary bowlers like Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc or to introduce spin-focused strategies.
Looking ahead to the Ashes series at home, should all key players—Pat Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc, and Nathan Lyon—be fit, it’s likely Boland will find himself on the sidelines for an eighth time. His potential exclusion raises intriguing questions about Australia’s bowling strategy. Could selectors consider fielding four frontline pacers without a spinner?
In the West Indies series, Australia achieved a complete whitewash, and Boland’s performance was outstanding, culminating in his historic hat-trick. With a Test record reflecting 62 wickets at an astounding average of 16.53, he stands out among fast bowlers. Yet, despite these statistics, he still appears to be behind Hazlewood in the pecking order, a player who consistently delivered throughout the series.
Cummins acknowledged the value of Lyon’s experience, particularly in crucial situations. However, Boland’s recent success may present a case for rotation during the Ashes or as a contingency plan for injury. The Gabba Test, scheduled as a day-nighter, might be an optimal scenario for selecting four pacers, as was demonstrated in Boland’s recent outing against the West Indies.
While Lyon boasts impressive statistics at the Gabba, historical selection decisions suggest that selectors might lean towards an all-pace attack. Australia’s last all-pace bowling line-up was in 2012 against India in Perth, where Lyon was replaced.
As the Ashes loom, it remains to be seen if Australia’s selectors will opt for a surprising shift in strategy, potentially reshaping their line-up in a manner reminiscent of past tactics. Whether Boland’s impressive recent form will earn him a spot or if experience will dictate the selection choices becomes a pivotal question as the series approaches.