National choice chief George Bailey has conceded there’s a “tough decision” looming for the Boxing Day Test with MCG hero Scott Boland a possible casualty for returning star Josh Hazlewood.
Boland lit up the MCG towards England final 12 months taking 6-7 in his Test debut however has confirmed himself to be something however a one-hit surprise.
The burly Victorian has performed one other 4 Tests and continued taking wickets, his profession haul now at 25 on the staggering common of simply 10.
That ought to make him undroppable, particularly forward of a return to his house floor for the second Test towards South Africa having snared 4-42 within the first check on the Gabba after being introduced in as a substitute for Hazlewood towards the West Indies.
But Hazlewood, who missed the Adelaide Test towards the Windies and the opening towards the Proteas, is again bowling at 90 per cent as he recovers from a facet pressure and may very well be prepared for Melbourne, placing Boland within the gun.
“It’s a good problem to have. I can’t state it any other way,” Bailey mentioned on Monday.
“You couldn’t ask for anything more.
“Effectively Uzzie (Usman Khawaja) was in the same position last summer. Travis (Head) gets the nod in the first Test (at Khawaja’s home ground, the Gabba). Uzzie waits, gets his opportunity and grabs it.
“And that’s a really important part of what this team is at the moment, that when that opportunity is there you grab it. You come in, there’s a really clear role you can perform.
“Barrel (Boland) is doing it, he’s been fantastic. Hoff (Hazlewood) has obviously done it for a very, very long time as well.”
Bailey conceded any concept Boland was solely an MCG specialist had been put to mattress by his performances in each match he’s been picked and conceded that Hazlewood’s enchancment had put them in a tricky spot.
“I think he’s become a specialist everywhere,” Bailey mentioned.
“He was on the radar for the MCG last year because of exactly what we’ve seen him do. He bashes a length.
“I think his ability to take multiple wickets in the same over speaks to how consistent he is and the questions he asks of the batter right from ball one. He’s going fantastically well.
“Josh [Hazlewood] is recovering really well. He had another really good hit out and is close to 90 per cent I reckon.
“We’re seven days out from the Test. He’ll keep building and clearly we’ve got a decision to make, but it’s a good problem to have. I’m really glad that it is a tough decision to make.”
Bailey mentioned Boland would solely grow to be undroppable “when we think he’s in the best three fast bowlers” and that trio is at the moment, when match, Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and captain Pat Cummins.
Hazlewood may have fulfill Australian medical employees that he’s absolutely recovered earlier than Boxing Day.
Bailey admitted he shuddered on the prospect of ruling Boland out of enjoying in Melbourne however prompt a few locals concerned within the resolution making may take the flak
“It’s very important to have two Victorian selectors on the panel,” Bailey joked.
“Tony Dodemaide and (coach)Andrew McDonald will be in charge of that.”
Originally revealed as Josh Hazlewood return may oust MCG hero Scott Boland for second Test
