Australia’s stand-in captain for the first Ashes Test, Steve Smith, has heaped praise on Scott Boland, calling him one of the best bowlers in the world.
Boland has played just 14 Tests since making his debut in Melbourne in the 2021–22 Ashes series. With an extraordinary average of 16.53, the Victorian has taken 62 wickets. Despite not being a regular part of the line-up, Boland has been a constant presence in the squad and was involved in memorable wins in the 2023 WTC final and the home series against India last summer.
Boland will form a pace attack with Mitchell Starc after skipper Pat Cummins and the experienced Josh Hazlewood were ruled out of the series opener due to their respective injuries.
“We’ve got a pretty good replacement in Scott Boland, who I think is arguably one of the best bowlers in the world,” said Smith, who will captain Australia in Cummins’ absence. “His record in Australia is outrageous. We’re lucky to have Scotty there ready to go.”
In his first Ashes series, Boland claimed a total of 18 wickets in the 2021–22 home season. The right-arm pacer has been England’s nemesis, and head coach Andrew McDonald feels he still holds the advantage over the visiting England team.
“I know there’s been some press around ‘England have worked Scott Boland out’,” said McDonald. “But when he comes back into Australian conditions, he gets bounce, hits the seam, he’s a handful.”
Against India last home summer, Boland took 21 wickets in three matches. The upcoming five-match series begins on November 21 in Perth.
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