AUS vs SA: Scott Boland Expected To Play As The 3rd Pace Bowler In The First Test Against South Africa: Andrew McDonald
Published - 13 Dec 2022, 02:10 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM
Australia’s head coach, Andrew McDonald, has clearly intimated that Scott Boland will play in the first Test against South Africa, which begins on Saturday, December 17, at the Gabba.
McDonald feels the right-arm bowler has done nothing wrong and deserves to play given his Test record.
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As a last-minute replacement for skipper Pat Cummins, who was unable to play because of injury, Boland was named to the Australian team for the second Test against the West Indies in Adelaide.
Despite not taking a wicket in the first innings, the Victorian had a significant influence in the second, taking three tourists out for a pitiful 77 with three wickets in a single over.
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McDonald gave a hint that Boland might join Mitchell Starc and captain Cummins as the third seamer in the first Test against South Africa as he spoke to reporters before Australia’s flight to Brisbane.
“Scott is expected to grab that spot at the Gabba. That’s the story, and he’s done nothing wrong. His record is excellent right now, so he’ll take his place, and Pat is expected to participate. So you have Cummins, Starc, and Boland, plus allrounder Cameron Green and spinner Nathan Lyon to back them up.”
“We’ve had some injuries early on in the summer”: Andrew McDonald
Andrew McDonald also emphasized the need of rotating Australia’s fast bowlers following Josh Hazlewood’s injury earlier this summer, saying the team would have cut and changed pacers even if there were no injury worries.
“It’s a difficult undertaking, possibly even more difficult for the players to get through the summer. Early in the summer, we’ve already witnessed several casualties. It’s just a fact of life; the games keep coming” Andrew McDonald said.
“Last year, it was Covid and injuries, so rotation was not by plan, nor has it been this early in the summer. It’s something that has been imposed on us. Would we have the same mindset if we were all physically fit? Yes, potentially” Andrew McDonald remarked.
Despite their recent success, the Australians will be wary of the Proteas, who have a potent pace-bowling squad and have won three consecutive series in Australia.
Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma | Rishabh Pant | KL Rahul | Suryakumar Yadav | Sanju Samson | Shreyas Iyer | Yuzvendra Chahal | Jasprit Bumrah
