Scott Boland could replace Josh Hazlewood for third Ashes Test

Australia’s attack could get a shake-up for what they hope will be a series-clinching victory at Headingley, with a short turnaround working in Scott Boland’s favour.

Scott Boland could return for the third Ashes Test. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Scott Boland is in consideration for a return to the Australian XI with the tourists wary of overworking Josh Hazlewood.

With not even four days between the end of the second Test and the start of the third, the Aussies are mindful of managing Hazlewood, who has endured a run of injuries over the past couple of years.

While the paceman has successfully got through the first two Tests of the Ashes, the short turnaround could count against him as the Aussies finalise their side for what they hope will be a series-clinching victory at Headingley.

Boland, who was dropped for Mitchell Starc after the first Test in Birmingham, will almost certainly replace Hazlewood should Australia elect to rest the veteran.

Australia is set to make at least one change, with off-spinner Todd Murphy to replace the injured Nathan Lyon.

“Obviously Nathan isn’t available. So you’d think Murph would pretty much come straight in,” Australian captain Pat Cummins said.

“I haven’t spoken to anyone about that, but it’d be my assumption. And then you know, the probably the big question mark is just seeing how the guys pulled up after Lord’s. It’s a quick turnaround. So yeah, we’ll just, again, give it a bit more time.

Australian coach Andrew McDonald speaks to Scott Boland. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

“So see how everyone’s tracking and then trying to work out a game plan. It’s obviously a huge match, but there are three matches to come. So you don’t want to put anyone in high risk than you’d like knowing that there’s a couple of fresh guys on the bench that come straight in.

“(Hazlewood is) the obvious one you’d be a bit more careful of. The tour so far for him has gone as well as he could have hoped – no injuries, but he is kind of uncharted territory for the last year or two. I think there will be some conversation around that. I think he bowled 25 and 35 (overs) which isn’t extreme numbers, but again you weigh up this game versus the last two, how he’s tracking, so we’ll work through that over the next couple of days.”

Michael Neser is also available if need be for a Test set to be played on a Leeds wicket that presented a bright green on Tuesday.

Scott Boland appeals in the first Test match. Picture: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Boland, though, is in the box seat if the Aussies make a pace change, despite copping stick at Edgbaston.

“We’d have to have a look at the wicket but think Scotty would be the obvious one, yeah,” Cummins said.

“I think even between innings (in the first Test) he made some adjustments. With Scotty we have such high standards of him because of how well he bowled. You saw in that little stretch where conditions were in our favour how damaging he could be. Think you could argue we haven’t got the best of conditions this tour so far. We are super confident with either Scotty or Nes that’d they do a super job.”

Originally published as Scott Boland could replace Josh Hazlewood for third Ashes Test