Josh Hazlewood v Scott Boland: Who Brett Lee is backing for Brisbane, Boxing Day, Test berths

Australian bowling great Brett Lee has endorsed the return of a reliable paceman from injury, but says Australia should strongly consider allowing a cult hero to work his magic at the MCG.

Brett Lee has endorsed the return of Josh Hazlewood but says Australia should still give strong consideration to allowing Scott Boland to work his magic at the MCG.

Australian medical staff and selectors will examine Hazlewood on Wednesday in Brisbane to monitor how he pulled up from his thorough fitness test in Adelaide on Monday as he vies to prove he is ready for an immediate recall from a low-level side strain to face India at the Gabba.

Hazlewood would then bowl alongside the other quicks at Australia’s main training session on Thursday before a final decision is made on whether the champion fast bowler comes back in at the expense of Boland, who was outstanding in the pink ball Test in Adelaide.

It’s a big call given selectors know exactly what they’re going to get from Boland and that the worst case scenario of a bowler breaking down mid-Test in Brisbane doesn’t bear thinking about, especially with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh sore as well.

Scott Boland will make way if Josh Hazlewood returns, but Brett Lee believes selectors should consider giving Boland a go at the MCG. Picture: Getty Images

However, fast bowling great Lee said selectors shouldn’t hesitate in recalling Hazlewood provided they can be confident he’s 100 per cent fit.

“Look it’s a tough one but you’d have to go back on form and what Josh Hazlewood has done,” Fox Cricket expert Lee said.

“For me personally, Josh Hazlewood slips straight back in. If he’s fully fit he gets the new ball or at least is definitely back in the team.”

Lee said he draws similarities between Boland and the playing career of Stuart MacGill, who took 200 Test wickets despite being used largely as a back-up to the late, great Shane Warne.

In another era or in any other Test team on earth, Lee said the world-class Boland is a walk-up start.

Stuart MacGill and Shane Warne during a Test match against South Africa in 2002. Picture: Brett Costello

“It’s unfortunate for Scott Boland because when he’s had his opportunity he’s nailed it,” Lee said.

“I look at Scott Boland and I probably think he’s a bit like MacGill playing in the Warne era.

“MacGill took 200 Test wickets bowling when Shane Warne was either injured or out for other reasons. So he was a quality, quality bowler.

“Boland could be in any team around the world. Any playing nation. But unfortunately when you’ve got Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood, they’re still doing the business and they’re in his way at the moment.

“It’s nothing against Boland because he’s bowled the house down.”

Josh Hazlewood missed the Adelaide Test through injury, and will have to prove his fitness to make Australia’s XI for Brisbane. Picture: Getty Images

Even if Hazlewood gets the nod to return at the Gabba, the selection showdown between he and Boland will only come to the fore again ahead of the fourth Test at the MCG.

This is Boland’s Field of Dreams and the entire motivation for calling him up to Test cricket in the first place as a mature-aged fast bowler was the instinct of selectors that he was a Melbourne track specialist.

Boland’s 6-7 rout of England on debut on Boxing Day 2021 will never be forgotten as one of the all-time fairytale moments in Australian sport.

This season, all Shield matches played on the MCG have favoured fast bowlers and there is no reason to think the Test match won’t also be a wicket-taking haven for the quicks.

Australian bowler Scott Boland has taken 40 wickets in his 11 Test appearances. Picture: AFP

Lee said so much water has to go under the bridge in terms of what transpires in this third Test at the Gabba, but he concedes Boland’s record at the MCG cannot be easily dismissed in a selection conversation, even if the big three are all fit.

“Conditions favour him. He knows the wicket. It’s like Travis Head. He has three hundreds at Adelaide Oval. Home conditions count for a lot,” Lee said.

“You’ve got the crowd behind you. Don’t underestimate how much that helps as a fast bowler as well, plus you know the conditions.

“A side strain is not something you want to hurt again. If you hurt that, that could put you out for a whole season. I’m not sure if they’ll risk (Hazlewood) at 1-1 going to Brisbane. But if he’s fully fit I’d be picking Hazlewood.”

Originally published as Josh Hazlewood v Scott Boland: Who Brett Lee is backing for Brisbane, Boxing Day, Test berths