Aussie cricket coach Andrew McDonald has rejected suggestions from England that Scott Boland could be a major weakness for the Australians in the Ashes. Boland looks set to play a huge role in the Test series against the old enemy this summer, with mystery surrounding when Pat Cummins will be fit to play – if at all.
Cummins has a back issue and is said to be up against it to play in the first Test on November 21, and there’s been suggestions he might miss the whole series. The captain’s absence would open the door for Boland, who has been an absolute superstar at home over the last few summers.
Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland during the 2023 Ashes series in England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
He wasn’t as effective in England during the 2023 Ashes series, with the Poms’ high-octane approach bringing him unstuck on flatter pitches. Speaking last week, former England captain Michael Atherton said the tourists will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing Boland rather than Cummins.
But responding on Sunday, McDonald pointed out that Boland is a different beast at home and said any belief that England have figured out the Victorian is based on a ‘false economy’. Boland famously took 6-7 on debut in the Boxing Day Test against England in 2021, and McDonald warned England to expect that version this time around.
Aussie cricket coach dismisses Scott Boland concerns
The Victorian’s career average of 16.53 is the best of any bowler in the past 100 years, while his economy-rate of 2.75 is the best of any front-line seamer since his debut. The only blip in his career has been the 2023 Ashes on English soil, when he took just two wickets in two games at an average of 115.5 and economy of 4.91 per over.
“Scotty was challenged with some lack of bounce in the benign conditions in England,” McDonald said. “I think conditions sort of conspired a little bit against him. I know there’s been some press around that England have worked Scott Boland out.
“But when he comes back into the Australian conditions, he gets bounce, hits the deck, he’s a handful. And as we saw last year against India, I think Rohit Sharma rated him the best of that series. That’s a huge compliment from an opposing captain.
“When he bowled a few overs under the cloudy skies (in 2023), he looked like he was going to get a wicket every ball. So we’re confident and comfortable that Baz can get the job done in Australia, which he’s done over a long period of time. And bounce will be his friend.”
Andrew McDonald happy with Australia’s bowling depth
Speaking last week, Aussie great Ian Healy expressed concerns over what he feels is a lack of Test-ready depth due to the longevity of Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood. McDonald hasn’t had to use a front-line quick other than Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood or Boland since December 2022.
Healy said we’ve “skipped a generation” of Test-quality pace bowlers, leaving a worrying hole behind the front-liners. But McDonald played down those concerns as well and said there are plenty waiting in the wings.
“It’d be nice if we sat back at the end of the summer and said there were only four fast bowlers used,” he said. “But we’ve got some good options in (Brendan) Doggett, (Sean) Abbott, (Michael) Neser. Jhye Richardson is potentially coming back around that mid-point of the series. So I feel like we’ve got some good options if we do get stretched, which is one of the great things of domestic cricket.”
Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Scott Boland after Australia’s loss in the fifth Ashes Test in 2023. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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Doggett has been around the Test squad a few times, but hasn’t bowled recently due to a hamstring issue. Spencer Johnson is also sidelined with a back complaint.
McDonald said the Aussies will have a clearer picture on Cummins’ availability later this week, and isn’t ruling him out of the first Test just yet. Short turnarounds between the final three Tests will likely force the Aussies to rotate bowlers.
Pat Cummins is under a huge cloud for the Ashes. (Photo by Ben Whitley/PA Images via Getty Images)
with AAP