Boland to keep pressure on Australia selectors

Oliver Caffrey | February 13, 2023

Australia paceman Scott Boland is hoping to make life difficult for selectors as star quicks Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood close in on a return from injury.

The 33-year-old made his first Test appearance outside of Australia in the Border-Gavaskar series opener in Nagpur last week.

Australia were smashed by an innings and 132 runs but Boland’s performance was a rare positive in a dismal Test for the tourists.

He might not have taken a wicket, but Boland’s tight bowling of 0-34 from 17 overs helped keep India’s star batters in check.

Australia looked at their most threatening when Boland and debutant spin sensation Todd Murphy bowled in tandem.

Boland is desperate to keep his spot for the second Test in Delhi, starting on Friday, but realises he could easily be squeezed out for Starc or Hazlewood.

“Obviously I want to play,” the Victorian said on Monday.

“I enjoyed the challenge of bowling in these different conditions.

“I’ve just got to make the selectors’ job as hard as I can to bring someone in.

“I don’t think we’re going to play three fast bowlers.

“There’s only going to be two spots up for grabs I reckon.”

Australia are expecting conditions in the Indian capital to be similar to what they contended with at Nagpur’s VCA Stadium.

Spin was king as Murphy claimed seven wickets, while India stars Ravi Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin tore through Australia’s batting line-up twice.

Australia coach Andrew McDonald said Queensland left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann was a “live chance” to play after being called into the squad.

The tourists will consider playing Kuhnemann with Murphy and star veteran Nathan Lyon only if allrounder Cameron Green is available to return from injury.