A year ago, Josh Hazlewood handed Scott Boland his baggy green cap. On Christmas Eve, Hazlewood elected to withdraw from selection and allow Boland a free run at reprising his MCG destruction of England.
Australia’s medical staff, selectors and captain Pat Cummins gave Hazlewood every chance with long bowling spells four and two days out from the MCG Test against South Africa, before the 31-year-old put his hand up on Christmas Eve to say he was not yet 100 per cent after a side strain.
Scott Boland gets his baggy green cap from Josh Hazlewood before day one of the Third Test against England at the MCG last year.Credit:Getty Images
“We gave Joshy every chance, but it just got to a stage where Joshy more than anyone else just felt like he was a little bit underdone,” Cummins said. “So it’s really a mark of the man that he himself said I don’t feel quite right, so pulled himself out of selection.
“He had a really good bowl at training, bowled 10 overs two days previous, and I think in some ways similar to Adelaide for me, it felt really close and then once you start running the scenarios in your head, you know yourself you’re not 100 per cent right.
“If you could guarantee you’re only going to have to bowl 20 or 30 overs, we’re all really confident, but I think playing out the scenarios if you need it for 40 or 50, you’ve got Scotty ready to go.”
That means Boland, he of the 10.36 Test bowling average, keeps his spot and gains the chance to reprise an unforgettable debut, although as Cummins noted, the fast man has seemingly got the knack of creating memorable moments every time.
“Here at the MCG [last year] I thought was never to be repeated, and it seems like every Test match he plays he has those moments,” Cummins said. “So hopefully some more here, but great to have a Victorian here, they always get wonderful support.
“Last year was pretty much the highlight of the summer for all of us, the MCG Test and the reception Scotty got, so hopefully a bit more of it this year. I think there would’ve been a part of everyone who would’ve felt a bit aggrieved if Scotty missed out.
“Someone like Scotty just challenges the defence every ball. So if there’s a new batter in, you know he’s going to be on from ball one. If there’s any sideways movement off the wicket, a great time to deploy him, left-handers around the wicket. Basically any time there’s a batter he’s ready to go.”
Earlier this summer, Boland spoke of how much he had gleaned from hot days running drinks with Hazlewood in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
“I was sitting next to Josh Hazlewood most of the time, so talking fast bowling with him was great,” Boland had said. “It’s pretty funny, he’s probably in the top five fast bowlers in the world and not getting a game in those conditions. I definitely knew where I stood in the pecking order there.”
Ahead of David Warner’s 100th Test, Cummins said the man known as “the Bull” remained the same provocative and energetic character he first met as a teenaged member of the New South Wales squad more than a decade ago.
“In some ways he’s changed, he’s got a beautiful family now, but the Bull is still the same as when I first met him 12 years ago. He’s his own man, he does it his way, which is fantastic,” Cummins said.
“I played in his second Shield game, and I think we all kind of knew he was good enough for Test cricket. He could switch between formats so effortlessly, so it was always there, but 100 Tests – it doesn’t just take skill, it takes longevity, fitness, mental, everything.”
As for Cameron Green’s $3 million-plus haul in the Indian Premier League auction, Cummins said the whole experience could feel detached from reality until actually playing the tournament and trying to “earn” the exorbitant price tag.
“To be honest in some ways you feel like cattle,” he said. “Paddles are going up, numbers are being thrown around, you’re so out of control, it’s on the other side of the world. It’s just another one of those pinch me moments, how lucky we are to do this job for a living.”
Melbourne’s pitch is notably browner in colour than last year’s, while warm weather forecast for the Test will also play a role in events.
“We’ll have a look tomorrow but not afraid to bowl first if we have to,” Cummins said. “I think the conversation’s always how much is day one going to do compared to the fourth innings on day four or five here.”
