Scott Boland set to be brutally snubbed for first Test against Sri Lanka despite India heroics

An Aussie cult hero is on the outer despite a stunning return to the Test side against India, with selectors mulling over a rare gamble.

Scott Boland is expected to be snubbed for Australia’s first Test against Sri Lanka, with selectors understood to be leaning towards a multi-pronged spin attack.

The Aussies brought three spinners to Galle – and all of Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy and Matt Kuhnemann are rumoured to be set to line up alongside Mitchell Starc in the first Test.

If so that would leave Scott Boland on the outer despite a stunning return to the Test fold against India.

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Starc has always been favoured in subcontinental conditions and he is again expected to get the nod over Boland.

While all-rounder Beau Webster is set to offer pace support for Starc.

Scott Boland starred with the ball in the series against India earlier this summer (Photo by Morgan Hancock – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

However, Starc has been under an injury cloud and Kuhnemann is also in doubt as he recovers from a hand injury.

If either of them are not fit, Boland could still face Sri Lanka in the first Test.

But if not, Boland is expected to miss out and he has every right to feel hard done by.

The Aussie paceman has had limited opportunities in the Test arena due to the brilliance of Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins and is still searching for his first Test appearance against Sri Lanka.

But with captain Cummins at home for the birth of his second child and Josh Hazlewood injured, Boland would have liked his chances of getting an extended stint in the side.

However, it appears selectors will turn to spin, with Travis Head suggesting Boland won’t make the cut.

“We’ve got three good ones I reckon,” Head said on the possibility of selecting three spinners.

 ”Hopefully they do the job and I won’t have to do too much.”

Mitchell Starc (R) is set to get the nod over Scott Boland (L) (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP)

Webster was also seen bowling off-spin in the nets in the build-up to the first Test and could theoretically create another spin option, as could Head and Steve Smith.

Sri Lanka is expected to do the same, with a spin-heavy line-up almost certain.

Australia has historically struggled on subcontinent decks, with the turn and bounce very different to the conditions Aussie batters are used to.

Even Head, who will open the batting in the first Test due to his ability to play spin, only averaged just over 7 runs in the middle order the last time Australia toured India.

Originally published as Scott Boland set to be brutally snubbed for first Test against Sri Lanka despite India heroics