Batting great Steve Smith says Scott Boland will be a hard luck story should he be overlooked for the Boxing Day Test, but believes his Ashes heroics will hold him in good stead with the national selectors.
Smith said on Wednesday the selectors face a “very difficult” decision in deciding whether to retain Boland, who has a stunning record in his brief Test career, or recalling veteran Josh Hazlewood, who missed the two-day Gabba clash last weekend because of injury.
Boland has 25 wickets at an average of just 10.36 in five Tests, this built on his amazing debut against England almost exactly a year ago when he claimed second innings figures of 6-7 during the Boxing Day Test to bowl England out for just 68.
Steve Smith during Australian training at Allan Border Field.Credit:Getty Images
He claimed 2-28 and 2-14 in the six-wicket win over South Africa on Sunday, and would also provide a box-office appeal come Boxing Day, given he would be the only Victorian in the XI.
Hazlewood has declared he is happy with his progress in recovering from his side strain, and has a career record the envy of many – 217 wickets at 26.16. He will need to prove in the MCG nets this week he can deliver long spells at good pace.
“It is a difficult decision for the selectors,” Smith admitted. “It’s a nice problem to have when the guys are playing really well. We have two quality bowlers there we can choose from.
“I think it will be tough on Scotty if he is left out, for sure. Boxing Day last year he was just incredible, and he has been incredible since he started. Then you have Josh Hazlewood, who has been a quality performer and has been for a long time. [It’s a] very difficult decision, [so let’s] wait and see.”
Smith, keen to rebound with the bat after scores of 36 and 6 on a raging green top in Brisbane, said Boland’s Ashes heroics, when he claimed the Johnny Mullagh Medal as best afield, would help his cause.
“I am sure it doesn’t hurt his chances, particularly if the wicket is going to be somewhat similar to what it was last year,” Smith said.
“He did pretty well. He has that ability to hit the stumps probably from a shorter length than a lot of other bowlers – [he bowls] a bit shorter and a bit skiddier.
Pick me: Scott Boland wants another crack at a Boxing Day Test, having flourished last year.Credit:AP Photo
“He brings in both sides of the bat, whereas Josh is probably a little bit more bouncy and brings in the outside edge more. They are both different. I think that’s the beauty of our attack at the moment, everyone bowls slightly different, but they are all really good at what they do. So, it holds us in good stead.”
Former Victorian Test stars Merv Hughes and Damien Fleming are among those calling for Boland to retain his spot.
The MCG pitch is likely to have less grass than last year, after match referee David Boon rated the deck that contributed to the Test ending by lunch on day three as average.
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