Legendary Australia captain Ricky Ponting reckons that Scott Boland should be dropped from the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy if Josh Hazlewood is declared fit. Hazlewood missed out on the second Test in Adelaide due to side strain.
Boland replaced him in Adelaide and produced a brilliant performance. The 35-year-old picked up five wickets in the match which included the big wickets of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.
However, Scott Boland’s place is still under threat since Josh Hazlewood has started his recovery and is on track to be back for the Brisbane Test. Ponting also feels that Hazlewood should come straight away into the Playing XI if he is fit.
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Ricky Ponting wants Scott Boland to be dropped for Brisbane Test
While speaking to the broadcaster after the match, Ricky Ponting gave his opinion that he would prefer Josh Hazlewood in the Playing XI for Brisbane given that he is 100% fit. Ponting called for Scott Boland to be the unlucky man who will make way for Hazlewood.
“Even though (Scott) Boland has bowled brilliantly, I would still prefer (Josh) Hazlewood in the playing XI for Brisbane,” Ricky Ponting opined.
Ricky Ponting had earlier claimed Scott Boland to be the “unluckiest cricketer” in Test history due to his inability to be a permanent part of Australia’s Playing XI despite exceptional performances with the ball.
“He’s actually the luckiest cricketer ever to represent Australia. (Scott) Boland’s record is outstanding, he probably deserves to be in the team. But the cold, hard facts are that he wasn’t in Australia’s best three fast bowlers at the start of the summer,” Ricky Ponting had said.
Scott Boland’s Test Career
Scott Boland has had a fantastic start to his Test career. He has picked up 40 wickets in 11 Tests so far at an impressive average of 20.42. However, the presence of three top-quality fast bowlers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins has often cost Boland a regular place in the Playing XI.
All these three quicks have been exceptional over the years and have been incredibly consistent with their performances. All three of them are different as well which gives the variety to this bowling attack.
Josh Hazlewood set to return for Brisbane Test
Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood is all set to be back in Australia’s Playing XI for Brisbane. Hazlewood bowled a few overs at the Adelaide Oval after the second Test and didn’t look at any kind of discomfort.
Even Australian captain Pat Cummins hinted that Hazlewood will be back for the Brisbane Test and whoever misses out will be unlucky. With Starc and Cummins having performed brilliantly in Adelaide, Boland seems to be the likeliest option to miss out.
Australia bounced back strongly in Adelaide as they decimated a hapless India by 10 wickets. Travis Head was the star of the match as he slammed a brilliant 140 off 141 balls to take the game away from the visitors. The series is level 1-1 with three more Tests to be played.