Boland Returns, Marsh Set to Bowl

Scott Boland will replace injured paceman Josh Hazlewood in Australia’s solitary change for the second test against India, while all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is fit to bowl, skipper Pat Cummins said Thursday.

Boland, 35, will play his first test since last year’s Ashes in England on Friday at the Adelaide Oval in the pink ball match. Since his 2021 test debut at 32, when he took 6-7 at his home Melbourne Cricket Ground to help Australia beat England, Boland has been a fan favourite in Australia.

Cummins felt Adelaide suited the big Victorian swift.

“Traditionally here, there is normally a little bit of nip, which obviously suits Scotty quite well,” Cummins told media at the Adelaide Oval.

“All of last summer he was geared up to go, but no one fell over.”It feels like Boland hasn’t played recently. Having Scotty come in right away is great for a captain.

“You know he can bowl a huge amount of overs if needed, he is super consistent and has performed at this level.”

The Perth opening saw Australia lose 295 runs to India, putting them 1-0 down in the five-test series. After bowling 17 overs at Perth Stadium, Marsh was sore, so selectors added uncapped all-rounder Beau Webster as injury backup. Despite Marsh’s back ailment and lack of bowling fitness, Cummins anticipated him to bowl in the day-night test.

“I expect him to be needed. It’s not a big deal; talk to the physio,” remarked Cummins.

“He will … prioritise his overs for the game instead of in the nets.”
After Australia’s loss in Perth, home media slammed the team.

For the first time since 1988, the hosts would lose three home tests in a row in Adelaide. Cummins said his players ignored the criticism and had showed they could recover from pressure.

“We’ve been in similar situations, whether it’s World Cups or other series, in must-win situations,” he remarked.

“We know that we weren’t at our best and have a few things to work on.”

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