Australia’s fast bowler Scott Boland is gearing up for a potential return to Test cricket in the upcoming day-night match against India in Adelaide, following a series of injury challenges and limited opportunities. Boland, who last played a Test in the early stages of the Ashes in July 2023, is primed to make his comeback after being called up to replace the injured Josh Hazlewood.
The 34-year-old received the call-up just days before the Prime Minister’s XI vs India practice game, which was delayed due to weather issues. Despite not having played much competitive cricket early this season, Boland remains confident in his readiness, highlighting the importance of his recent preparations, including sessions with the pink ball.
“I feel like I’ve played enough cricket to be in a really good spot,” Boland said. “My body’s feeling really good now. I’ve had a couple of niggles, but my knee and foot are fine, and I’m confident in how the ball’s coming out.”
Having had a recent net session with Josh Inglis in Perth using the pink ball, Boland is honing his skills ahead of the Adelaide Test. “The last net session in Perth was for me and Josh Inglis, where we worked with the pink ball for quite a few overs,” Boland explained. “Getting used to it then and in this practice game will be valuable preparation for Adelaide.”
Boland’s preparation also included appearances in domestic cricket, playing for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield and taking part in an Australia A vs India A game. With the Test against India fast approaching, he is focused on building up his match intensity, particularly in the pink-ball conditions of Adelaide.
Despite Australia’s loss to India in the Perth Test, which saw the home team’s top-order collapse and bowling attack struggle to stop India’s onslaught in the second innings, Boland emphasized that there is no panic in the Australian dressing room. “It’s not panic stations,” he said. “We’ve lost one game, but we’ve spoken as a team about our plans for the Indian batters. They may be tweaked slightly after reviewing the Perth match, but I’m confident with what we did.”
Boland noted that the Australian bowlers, while facing a heavier workload in Perth, did well but may have been at a disadvantage with shorter breaks between innings compared to the Indian bowlers. “The Indian bowlers got a nice long break between innings, which probably helped them,” Boland reflected. “But our bowlers were still very effective in patches.”
The fast bowler’s journey back to the Test side has not been without its frustrations. After being kept on standby for Australia’s regular quicks—Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Hazlewood—throughout the summer, Boland faced a further setback with injury, cutting short a stint with Durham in the UK. However, the right-arm seamer has remained focused on his rehabilitation, taking a measured approach to ensure a full recovery without rushing back too soon.
“I probably thought the opportunity had passed, but I’ve worked really hard in the off-season,” Boland said. “I didn’t want to rush anything and risk a re-injury, so we took it slow with my rehab, and now I’m ready.”
With his impeccable record in pink-ball cricket—averaging 13.71 from two day-night Tests—Boland’s skills seem well suited to the conditions in Adelaide, which often see the ball swing more dramatically during the evening sessions. Reflecting on his experience with the pink ball, Boland explained that the conditions can often dictate the rhythm of the game.
“The key for bowlers is communication,” he said. “We need to be aware of what the ball is doing and how the pitch is playing, and adjust quickly between day and night phases. Teams that bat first and get through the day can take advantage of the new ball under lights, which can be lethal.”
As Australia prepares for the crucial second Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Boland’s return could provide a vital boost to the bowling attack, especially with the challenge of facing India’s formidable batting lineup.
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