Ashes 2023: Scott Boland reveals fears ahead of first Test selection cull for Aussie attack

Scott Boland was the most effective and frugal of Australia’s quicks during the WTC final. But there’s a reality that the cult figure can’t avoid ahead of a gruelling Ashes campaign.

World Test Championship final hero Scott Boland says Australia’s pacemen have come to terms with the likelihood they will be rotated during the upcoming Ashes series but concedes he would be disappointed to miss selection for the first Test.

Boland did nothing to harm his cause to be selected for opener against England which begins at Edgbaston on Friday by starring in the WTC decider victory against India at The Oval.

The Victorian was the most effective and frugal of the Aussie quicks during the WTC final, continuing his extraordinary and unlikely fairytale of a Test career. Having made his debut as a 32-year-old in the 2021 Boxing Day Test – in which he famously ran through England in the second innings, taking 6-7 to win the Johnny Mullagh Medal as player of the match – Boland has played eight Tests and still has a bowling average of less than 15.

Australia's Scott Boland has had an extraordinary impact since coming into the Australian team. Picture: AFP

Taking into account the WTC final, Australia has six Tests in eight weeks. While pace frontman and captain Pat Cummins last week said he was aiming to play the full half dozen, Boland accepted he was unlikely to do the same.

“I think it will be hard work,” Boland said.

‘I’ve got through six (Sheffield) Shield games in two months before, and it is hard work.

“If there’s a chance during one game, or if there’s one or two games that are short like two or three days, it makes it a bit easier.

“But I think everyone’s got their head around that we’re going to have to rotate through our quicks, and we’ve got quite a few good quicks here so it’s not going to be an issue.”

Despite his brilliant form, Scott Boland still faces a tough time convincing selectors he’s in Australia’s first-choice attack. Picture: AFP

However Boland acknowledged he was ultimately keen to play.

“I’m just happy to be here so, if I can play it’s great and if I don’t play then obviously I’m disappointed but I know I’ll get a chance at some stage,” Boland said.

Australian selectors George Bailey, Tony Dodemaide and Andrew McDonald – who is also the team’s coach – are facing a tricky call about which two of Boland, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will complement Cummins, spinner Nathan Lyon and all-rounder Cameron Green in the West Midlands.

Hazlewood has been declared ready to go after overcoming a minor side issue and with McDonald declaring Cummins a lock given his role as captain, it is clear that three are vying for two spots.

Josh Hazlewood has declared himself fit ahead of the first Ashes Test. Picture: Getty

Backup Michael Neser is also with the squad while Sean Abbott is on standby.

Boland could barely have done more to ensure he is one of the frontline pace trio at Edgbaston. That he was the sole Australian bowler to go at under three runs per over across both of India’s innings at The Oval is likely to help his cause given the freewheeling nature of England’s batting.

“My job is to keep performing, keep making the selectors’ job hard,” Boland said.

‘I’m loving my time in the team.

“I know at some stage I’m going to play during the Ashes, if it it’s not the first Test.

“My role in this team is just to try and keep the scoreboard going as slow as possible. I like to bowl long spells to try and give the other bowlers a bit of a break if there’s gaps in that. Obviously if I can keep the scoreboard going nowhere it makes the job easier for the other bowler at the other end.”

As captain, Pat Cummins (C) locks up one of Australia’s pace spots. Picture: Getty

Boland had never played a red-ball match in the UK before the India match but looked a natural.

He also said he was comfortable if boundaries came a bit more readily than they do in Australia, as occurred at a ground like The Oval where the square extends across much of the arena.

“The square is so big (at The Oval) that if any ball gets hit square it’s pretty much four if the boundary riders aren’t in the exact position,” Boland said.

“For me, getting my head around we’re probably going to be hit for a few more fours than in Australia and that’s a little mindset change. Once I got my head around that I was comfortable being hit for four or edged for four knowing that it was still a good ball.”

Having all but resigned himself to the likelihood he would end his career without a baggy green, Boland – now a world champion – said he was relishing his magical ride.

“I wouldn’t have predicted this two years ago. So far it’s been getting better and better and I’m loving it.”