Australia v West Indies: Scott Boland shines, David Warner fights for his place

Scott Boland books his spot in the XI to face South Africa, while David Warner has six innings to prove he is still worthy of a place in 2023.

Scott Boland was Australia’s chief destroyer against the West Indies in Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images

Scott Boland took six deliveries to confirm his place in the Australian side which takes on South Africa in Brisbane next week, while David Warner has six innings to prove he is still worthy of a place in the Australian side in 2023.

The Australians are heading toward an inevitable victory over an insipid West Indian side in Adelaide.

Asked to chase 497 runs to win the match, the visitors melted under the lights.

They recommence on the fourth day on 4-38 and are no hope of saving the match after Australia declared at 6-199 in the third session.

The West Indies have failed to bowl the locals out in the series.

Brought on to bowl the sixth over of the game, Boland had Kraigg Brathwaite (3) caught behind with his first delivery, Sharmah Brooks (0) lbw with his third and Jermaine Blackwood (0) brilliantly caught by Cameron Green in the gully.

The second innings specialist was threatening a repeat of his 6-7 on debut at the MCG and in doing so has secured his place in the side for the next match and series.

He and Michael Neser were brought into this Test as cover for Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

Hazlewood has been sent home for treatment and won’t return for Brisbane, Cummins has been training while Steve Smith captains the side in his absence and will play unless there is some set back before the game begins on Saturday.

Boland was ahead in the pecking order, but Neser is a Queenslander and may have argued he has a more experience at the Gabba.

Boland has 27 wickets at 16.7 from five first class games at the Gabba, Neser has 77 wickets at 19.4 from 18 games on his home ground.

Speaking before he was brought on to bowl under the lights, former coach Justin Langer backed Boland to hold his place.

“One of the most crucial parts of selection is consistency,” he said on Channel 7. “It is important for the current players, it is important for the aspiring player, and that in mind I think Scott Boland will definitely play in that Test match.”

Speaking at the same time, Ricky Ponting was also of the same mind.

“Yeah, I would agree with JL as well. I think it is an absolute no-brainer. Regardless if Neser outbowls Boland in the second innings of this game, I think Boland deserved to be picked. His record, as we have seen, is absolutely outstanding. Albeit on a couple of the most helpful wickets you can play your first couple of games on.

“The other thing that I think about, with Cummins coming back, does Cummins open the bowling? If not, who is the best new ball bowler out of Neser and Boland when they are thinking about Brisbane?”

Warner plays his 99th Test in Brisbane, his 100th at the MCG and his 101st at home in Sydney before the Australians turn their attention to a four Test series in India and then the Ashes.

Neither India or England have been happy hunting grounds for the opener.

He has not scored a century since January 2020, and is ticking along at an average of 28.12.

Matt Renshaw, Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft are all pushing for selection.

Ponting said pressure was mounting on the batsman.

“I didn’t realise it was that lean, to be honest,” he said. “Coming on for two years for a Test match century. Four half centuries in his last 26 innings.

“You talk about how things are getting tougher for Warner with the attack the South Africans have got. Well, it’s never easy in India either. We know what wickets we will get there. We will get turning pitches. No doubt. It’s never been easy for any Australian batsman going there and trying to play in those conditions. Then on the back of that, what’s after that? The Ashes, in England as well. We will get conditions that will suit Broad, Anderson and Robinson.”