How is Scott Boland Preparing to Challenge for a Spot in the WTC Final?

New Delhi, June 6 (NationPress) Australia pacer Scott Boland, who is finally pain-free for the first time in 18 months, is determined to create a challenging dilemma for selectors as he aims for a spot in the World Test Championship final next week, competing with Josh Hazlewood.

The 36-year-old bowler is vying for a place in the WTC final XI, despite being awarded Player of the Match in his last Test appearance against India in Sydney earlier this January. He was excluded from the squad during the Sri Lanka tour, where Australia opted for one fast bowler and three spinners in both Tests. Since then, Boland has not played any cricket, with his last appearance for Victoria in the second-last match of the Sheffield Shield season in early March, due to ongoing knee discomfort.

"I'm truly pleased with how my body feels right now. Pain-free for probably the first time in about 18 months. It feels really great," Boland shared.

Boland made a remarkable impact in the Border-Gavaskar series, securing 21 wickets at an average of 13 over three Tests while filling in for the injured Hazlewood. He also distinguished himself as Australia’s top fast bowler in the 2023 WTC final, where he was chosen over Hazlewood. However, with Hazlewood now fully recovered and coming off a successful IPL campaign—where he took 22 wickets at an average of 18 to help the Royal Challengers Bengaluru win their first title—Boland recognizes that his position in the XI at Lord’s against South Africa is uncertain.

Boland mentioned that the three-month break has been pivotal in overcoming the knee issues that troubled him for the past 18 months, and he’s now focused on making the selection process as challenging as possible for the team management.

"My objective for the past two months has been to ensure that I am in a position to put my hand up and be ready to go if the opportunity arises. Towards the end of the Shield season, I felt my knee wasn’t performing as I wanted. But now, I feel like I’m in an excellent spot to bowl as I wish. It’s recovering well, so that’s all I can do, and I just want to make their decision as difficult as possible," Boland expressed.

Australia’s selectors face several critical choices ahead of the WTC final, including selecting between Boland and Hazlewood, deciding whether to include a specialist allrounder, determining Cameron Green’s batting position as he returns from injury, and finalizing an opener to partner Usman Khawaja, with Travis Head expected to return to his usual No. 5 position after opening in the last two Tests against Sri Lanka.

Although the Boland vs Hazlewood decision is separate from the batting reshuffle, Boland’s chances could improve if selectors choose not to include allrounder Beau Webster, especially considering ongoing concerns regarding Hazlewood’s fitness following injury setbacks in his last two Tests.

"I felt like I had a couple of really strong games. However, Josh is undoubtedly a world-class bowler. He's among the best in the world coming off a fantastic IPL. I’m sure he’s aiming for the same thing here. Naturally, we all aspire to play, but there might not be enough room for all of us.

"I managed to strengthen it significantly, and it has only improved since I started running and bowling, which was seven weeks ago," Boland concluded.