Boxing Day Test hero Scott Boland has retained his spot in Australia’s star bowling assault and can line-up on the MCG in opposition to South Africa.
The Victorian fast will return to the scene of his well-known Test debut final December, with Australia selectors choosing Boland over Josh Hazlewood, who continues his restoration from a aspect pressure.
Captain Pat Cummins confirmed Australia would stick to the identical XI that crushed the Proteas by six wickets in simply two days within the first Test on the Gabba.
“We gave Joshy every chance, it just got to a stage where Joshy more than anyone else probably thought he was a bit underdone,” Cummins stated on the MCG on Sunday.
“It’s probably the mark of the man that he himself thought, ‘I don’t feel quite right’ and pulled himself out of selection.
“We speak quite a bit about the way it’s a squad mentality, and that is one other nice instance.”
Boland has taken 25 wickets in his five Tests at the miserly average of 10.36.
The 33-year-old became an instant cult hero of Australian cricket when he ran through England with 6-7 at the MCG last year to secure man-of-the-match honours on debut to help Australia retain the Ashes.
Boland told reporters on Friday he remained unsure about his position in the XI, with Hazlewood – a staple of Australia’s attack for almost a decade – pushing to return.
Cummins said it would have been a tough call if Hazlewood had declared himself fully fit.
“There would have been a part of everybody that might have felt a bit aggrieved if Scotty missed out,” Cummins stated.
“Here on the MCG I believed (Boland’s 2021 Ashes efficiency) was by no means to be repeated and it looks like each Test match he performs he has these moments – so hopefully some extra right here.
“(It’s) great to have a Victorian here. Last year, pretty much the highlight of the summer for all of us was this MCG Test and the reception Scotty got.”
Australia will likely be out to safe their first Test sequence win in opposition to South Africa on residence soil since 2005-06 by going 2-0 up on the MCG.
Veteran opener David Warner will develop into simply the 14th Australian to play 100 Tests when he strains up in opposition to the Proteas.
The left-hander will likely be hoping his milestone match brings about some runs within the red-ball format. He has not scored a Test century since January 2020.
Warner hopes to proceed enjoying Tests till not less than the top of the 2023 Ashes sequence however his type – he averages simply 20.61 this yr – has develop into a significant concern for Australia on the high of the order.
“Davey’s such a wonderful team man, he gives so much love and camaraderie to the group so we just get around him,” Cummins stated.
“We just listen to him, to make sure we’re in his corner and backing him like we always have.
“To his credit score, he is simply been implausible across the group this complete summer time … he’ll go down as one of many all-time greats.”
AUSTRALIA: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon.
