Star bowler Scott Boland has declared England’s adoption of a harder verbal edge to their attacking approach to Test cricket will have little impact on Australia when the highly-anticipated Ashes begins in 100 days in Perth.
The Victorian paceman tuned into the thrilling series between England and India, with the hosts deciding after the second Test that the were being “too nice”, which led to some tense moments in the final three matches.
Asked if Australia would welcome a similar approach, Boland declared; “Oh. They can do whatever they want when they are playing.”
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‘F*** that’s a good ball!’ | 00:31
“I think we’ve been pretty consistent in the way we’ve played since I’ve been in around the squad for the last four years. I think nothing much changed from how we play our cricket,” Boland said.
“Even going forward, it’s just going to be whoever takes and whoever wins those big moments in the games. And I know we have got match winners with the bat or the ball. So … if they want to sledge, that’s fine. I don’t think it’s going to worry our guys too much.”
The Victorian joined champion trio Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood as part of a four-pronged pace attack for the most recent Test in the West Indies in a rare occasion where selectors felt that was a better option than fielding spinner Nathan Lyon.
While the veteran believes the chance will arise for all-fast bowling battery to convene again in Test cricket, he does not believe this will occur during the Ashes given’s Lyon’s nous at home and the pending availability of all-rounder Cameron Green to bowl.
“I hope so, but probably not in Australia. With our wickets, generally, Nathan is one of the best spin bowlers in the world (and) I think he can bowl in any conditions,” Boland said.
“He’s probably been the glue to our bowling line-up over the last few years. And then I probably see Greenie coming back and bowling a lot more … so that probably hurts the chances of four quicks as well.”
Boland is yet to confirm with Victorian selectors which Sheffield Shield games he will play in the infancy of the summer as he readies himself for the Ashes but expects to play a couple of matches prior to the first Test in Perth.
After his recent heroics in the Caribbean, which included a hattrick, he has taken a break from bowling and will not resume until later this month.
But the 36-year-old believes his best is still to come, despite a remarkable career in which he has taken 62 wickets at 16.77 in 14 Tests.
Statistically the best Test bowler in more than 100 years, Boland’s certainty that he is the preferred reserve bowler is enabling him to focus on tailoring his preparation towards the nation’s red ball matches, rather than trying to force a passage through domestic cricket.
“I’m just doing some gym and rehab and all that kind of stuff, just making sure I’m primed for … the start of October, when we (have) got some Shield games … and then get ready for the Ashes,” he said.
“I feel like even (though) I’m getting a little bit older, I still think my skills getting better. I’m learning how to prepare better for each series now, because it’s not six months of playing cricket, it’s pretty much (getting) ready for three months a year here.
“Then (it is) go again, have a bit of a break, reset, get my body good, and then go again. So even though I’m in the twilight of my career, I’m still learning about what’s helping me and what’s getting me to be able to perform every time.”
Scott Boland (6-46) decimates NSW | 01:09
A hero at the MCG on debut in the Boxing Day Test in 2021, he said the recent hattrick against the West Indies rated alongside that moment when it came to career highlights.
While Boland would love to play every Test for the summer, he is mindful that is unlikely. But he believes the surplus of fast bowling talent will enable the Australian attack to continue to shine throughout the summer and beyond despite being in their 30s.
“I think it is going to help in the long run. We’ve spoken about it before, that we can … sort of help each other’s career (go for) a bit longer,” he said.
“Obviously I’m not playing as much white ball cricket over the last few years, so I feel that helps that I am bowling with the same ball all the time and I don’t have to change my skills too much, whereas the other guys are playing all around the world in all different (formats).
“In the long run, it is going to help us keep going and help me keep going for as long as I can. I don’t want to put a time on when I’m going to finish up. Whenever that will be will be up to the coach and the selectors. I just want to keep going and keep m bod as good as I can for as long as I can.”
Elsewhere, Boland endorsed Victorian teammate Marcus Harris as Australia’s opener for the Ashes, backing the left-hander for a long-awaited Test return.
The 33-year-old made the most recent of his 14 Test appearances during the 2021/22 Ashes campaign, but Sam Konstas’ recent struggles in red-ball cricket has created a potential vacancy at the top of the order.
“I think it’s probably going to come down to whoever makes probably the most runs in the first three or four Shield games,” Boland said.
“I know there’s a handful of guys you could give it to that you know are going to do well. But I’d love to see Marcus Harris back.”
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