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Australia have announced their playing XI on Sunday for the Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Melbourne.
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is set to miss another Test as he continues his recovery from a side strain. The hero of last year’s Ashes, Scott Boland has retained his place in the XI with the local star hoping to continue his good form.
Speaking to reporters on Christmas morning, Australia captain Pat Cummins addressed the selection of Boland over the seasoned campaigner Hazlewood.
“We gave Joshy (Hazlewood) every chance, (but) it just got to a stage where (he) more than anyone else felt like he was a little bit underdone.
“It’s a mark of the man really, he himself said ‘don’t feel quite right’ so he kind of pulled himself out of selection.
“We talk a lot about how (as) a team we need a squad mentality and I think it’s another great example,” said Cummins.
Since his debut in 2014, the ever-consistent Hazelwood has never been left out for a home Test while fit.
But Boland’s irresistible form will see him get the chance to repeat his debut heroics from last year’s Ashes.
Hazlewood has missed Australia’s last two Tests in Adelaide and Brisbane due to a side strain but trained strongly in the lead-up to the Boxing Day Test, bowling at what appeared to be full tilt in the nets on Saturday.
Injury has now seen him miss multiple Tests during three of the past four Australian summers, yet his place in the side had never before come into question on home soil.
“We didn’t really get to the decision point, we gave it enough time and it played out,” Cummins said of the selection dilemma.
“There would have been a part of everyone that would’ve felt a little bit aggrieved if Scott missed out,” he added.
It has taken an astonishing start to Boland’s career, combined with Hazlewood’s injury misfortune which he has attributed in part to a heavy diet of white-ball cricket leading into this Test season, to change that.
The Victorian has taken 25 wickets from 5 matches at an average of 10.36 since his debut in front of his home crowd during the corresponding Boxing Day fixture last year when he immediately elevated himself to cult hero status in snaring 6/7 to see Australia seal the urn.
There are no changes in the batting lineup for Australia as David Warner gears up to play in his 100th Test for Australia. He will be accompanied at the top by fellow left-hander Usman Khawaja, followed by Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and the Player of the Match from the first Test, Travis Head.
With the race for a spot in the World Test Championship Final heating up, Australia will look to extend their lead at the top, while Dean Elgar’s side will look to bounce back following their loss in the opening Test of the series.
Australia XI for second Test: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
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