Australia v West Indies: Gabba Test team changes and cruel irony halting Scott Boland’s career

Scott Boland has become the victim of cricket’s ultimate irony – but, crucially, the clock is now ticking on the fast-bowling sensation’s Test career.

Scott Boland has become the victim of cricket’s ultimate irony story in that the spicy Test decks on which he undermines batting careers are now threatening his own.

It’s not hard to imagine veteran paceman Boland filling his boots this summer had he been let loose on four consecutive seaming decks on which the fast bowlers have thrived against Pakistan and the West Indies.

But he has stayed as the reserve quick because Australia has not needed him.

With innings short and the Tests finishing in quick time the fast bowlers have stayed fresh and are upbeat after having five unused days in the four Tests.

Pat Cummins took 19 wickets at 12 against Pakistan and four at 16 against the West Indies while Josh Hazlewood ran amok in the first Test against the West Indies.

Josh Hazlewood has run riot this summer on the juicy Australian pitches. Picture: Getty

Cummins has forecast no changes to the bowling line-up for the final Test of the summer against the West Indies at the Gabba this week and there is every chance the attack will stay as it is for two Tests in New Zealand.

They will be the last Tests Australia plays before next season’s epic five Test series against India.

When a change does come next summer – as surely it will – the selectors will have to ask themselves whether they go for a then 35-year-old Boland or a young tearaway such as Lance Morris.

It will be a tough call.

The clock is ticking on Scott Boland’s Australian test career. Picture: AFP

With the clock ticking on his career Boland, who Cummins once described as his favourite cricketer, must have turned as green as the decks Australia were bowling on this summer for his pin point seam would surely have gained decent reward.

But he now faces an uphill battle to extend his excellent Test career which represents 35 wickets at 20 from 10 Tests.

One thing in his favour is that with points going for each match to the World Test Championship Australia picks its sides for the present which means if he is bowling well next season he could still win promotion.

Originally published as Australia v West Indies: Gabba Test team changes and cruel irony halting Scott Boland’s career