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Boland faces Dizzy levels of misfortune

3 minute read

Scott Boland will be the unluckiest man to be bumped out of an Australian Test team since Jason Gillespie in 2005, if he misses out on the Sydney Ashes Test.

PAT CUMMINS
PAT CUMMINS Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Scott Boland could become Australia's unluckiest cricketer since Jason Gillespie as selectors deal with an embarrassment of riches for the SCG Test.

Boland's 6-7 to finish the job on England remained cricket's big talking point on Wednesday, as Australia's players enjoyed a day off after sealing the Ashes.

But one of the more memorable Test debuts has also created a problem for selectors with Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon the only certainties to play at their home ground.

Josh Hazlewood is firming to be available in Sydney after bowling in the MCG nets on Tuesday and set for another training session on Thursday.

Mitchell Starc was likely to be rested at the SCG but because the Boxing Day Test was over in two-and-a-bit days means he could still play.

There is also a serious chance Mitchell Swepson could debut as a second spinner, after Pat Cummins suggested that could help him ahead of subcontinent tours next year.

Cameron Green's development has also aided that cause, given his seven wickets at 11 mean he could be a genuine third quick at the SCG if Australia play two tweakers.

There could also be a push for Jhye Richardson to play if Australia go for three seamers and Starc or Hazlewood sit out, given his five-wicket haul in Adelaide before being rested for Melbourne.

It leaves Boland in a serious battle to keep his spot.

The Victorian was picked as an MCG specialist for the third Test, and working in his favour is the thought the Sydney wicket is generally very similar.

If dropped it would put him in the same category as fellow Indigenous star Jason Gillespie, who scored 201no as a nightwatchman in 2005 in what proved to be his last Test.

Given Boland is 32, he could suffer a similar fate if left out for Sydney.

"It's one of those good days where as captain I can firmly say I'm not a selector," Cummins said earlier this week after Boland's 6-7.

"Good luck to them.

"I thought it was a really brave call by the selectors to bring in Scotty (for Melbourne). Full credit to them, they've made the right call.

"Jhye will hopefully be available, Joshy will hopefully be available. We've stlll got Michael Neser here in the squad.

"It might be a spinning track and you've got Mitchell Swepson bowling beautifully. It's a luxury at the moment."

The performances of Australia's back-up bowlers is part of their belief they can fight for the World Test Championship.

Seven of their bowlers average below 25 for the series, a situation unimaginable before the summer.

"It's been a long time since we've had new guys come in and bowl as well as they have," David Warner said.

"The guys who have come in off the bench have had an impact right away."

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