The Irresistible Case To Pick Scott Boland Over Josh Hazlewood For MCG Test

An earlier Josh Hazlewood injury gave Boland the opportunity, but he was still effectively a specialist Melbourne Test pick: Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson had filled in for the previous Test, and while selectors cited minor injury concerns for both, surely they would have picked one if they weren't so keen on.

Ricky Ponting believes that if Josh Hazlewood is totally healthy, he will bat first in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston ahead of Scott Boland. Hazlewood was dropped from Australia's World Test Championship (WTC) squad after it was determined that he was not quite ready after his shortened IPL, from which he returned home with minor side pain but was later cleared of any injury.

Josh Hazlewood is recognised for his 164.2 kmph delivery. The delivery was the fastest in the sport's history, with the official broadcaster Channel 9's speedometer reading 164.2 kmph (102 mph). It easily broke Shoaib Akhtar's previous record of 161.3 km/h. However, for a bowler like Hazlewood, who usually bowls around 135 kmph, 164.2 seemed unbelievable.

Scott Boland of Victoria holds his place ahead of Hazlewood

Scott Boland, Australia's Boxing Day Test hero, has kept his place in the team and will face South Africa at the MCG. The Victorian fast bowler will return to the site of his historic Test debut in December, with Australia selecting Boland over Josh Hazlewood, who is recovering from a side strain. Australia will be looking to win their first Test series against South Africa at home since 2005-06 by going up 2-0 at the MCG.

Finalist in the Boland Test

Despite Josh Hazlewood's participation in the team as he recovers from injury, Scott Boland is the frontrunner to be Australia's third seamer in the Test Championship final against India.

Boland and Hazlewood were both nominated to the ICC's 15-man squad, with Matt Renshaw and Mitchell Marsh designated as reserves. Marcus Harris and back-up wicketkeeper Josh Inglis are the squad's 14th and 15th players.

Josh Hazlewood was unable to play in the Test series in India owing to an Achilles injury, and he exited the IPL early due to side pain. He's also had side strains in each of the last two summers at home.

While he is still bowling, he has previously stated that medical personnel and selectors must carefully consider whether to return him to action, implying that he will not be pushed back for the Test championship final against India at the Oval, which begins on June 7.

The first long-form game of the summer is always a bit make or break, Hazlewood previously stated. You may continue on and on if you get through it, but if you fail to do so, you're back where you started.

Under ICC rules, Josh Hazlewood can still be replaced in the squad if he suffers a setback in his recuperation, which means Michael Neser could be called up.

Neser, who has thrived for Glamorgan in county matches throughout the northern season, is part of the Australian group that is presently training in the United Kingdom, as is Surrey's Sean Abbott. With the pink Kookaburra ball, Neser got seven wickets at 16 in two Tests in Adelaide during the past two summers when Hazlewood was injured.

FAQs
Who is Josh Hazlewood?
Josh Hazlewood, an Australian fast-medium bowler, is renowned for his precision, consistency, and ability to induce movement off the pitch. He debuted for the Australian national cricket team in 2010.
What are Josh Hazlewood's key accomplishments in international cricket?
Josh Hazlewood has had an outstanding international career, greatly contributing to Australia's success in Josh Hazlewood debut match, Test, One-Day International (ODI), and Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket. Notably, he was instrumental in Australia's Ashes and ICC Cricket World Cup victories.