MITCHELL JOHNSON: Scott Boland must stay in Test squad with Josh Hazlewood the most under threat to keep spot

Scott Boland’s future in Australia’s Test side is a complex topic that raises a lot of questions, especially given the current dynamics of the team.

But with Boland’s Test record so impressive, he now has 56 Test wickets at 17.66, and on the back of his influential role in the series win over India, the bottom line is simple.

Boland must be included in the playing XI for the foreseeable future.

The selectors are balancing multiple issues with the Test attack. At a time they should be planning for regeneration given the ages of the big three quicks and spinner Nathan Lyon, instead, it’s 35-year-old Boland who has put his hand up and made an irresistible case.

They must weigh Boland’s current form against the proven track record of senior bowlers. If they can find a way to blend their talents effectively, Australia could solidify their bowling attack for continued success.

But ultimately, the selectors also face a balancing act between youth and experience.

It’s a pivotal time, and I hope the transition period hasn’t been overlooked, as the decisions made now will have lasting implications for the team’s future.

There appears little doubt the in-form Boland will play in Sri Lanka given Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood won’t be there, but things could quickly become complicated when it comes to selection for June’s World Test Championship final, the three-Test series in the West Indies to follow and next summer’s Ashes.

The defining issue is whether it’s time to prioritise immediate performance over potential longevity. Boland’s recent form has made him arguably the best bowler for Australia in the Border-Gavaskar series, which complicates the decision-making for selectors.

Moving forward, it’s crucial to consider what Boland brings to the table and who he might displace.

Historically, Australia have relied heavily on bowlers such as Hazlewood, who, despite the concerns about age and injury, have consistently delivered outstanding performances when fit.

While Hazlewood has proven himself over many years, the reality is his injury history could open the door for Boland. Hazlewood missed the last two Tests against India and will miss the next two coming up against Sri Lanka.

While Cummins is captain it is unlikely he will be sitting out too many Test matches, and while Mitchell Starc will turn 35 this month he was a strong performer for most of the series against India and maintaining a left-arm presence in the bowling unit adds to the team’s balance.

The decision to go for Boland to replace Hazlewood this summer was undoubtedly the right choice. We know age wasn’t a criteria in the decision otherwise he wouldn’t have got the nod. Boland deserves the opportunity to play at the highest level.

Despite his age, he is relatively fresh regarding his time on the international circuit. He stays on the park and can bowl long spells.

Boland had a taste of one-day international cricket in his 20s, playing 14 matches plus a few T20 internationals all in 2016. He’s now played 13 Test matches starting with his remarkable debut in the 2021 Boxing Day Test where he claimed 6-7 in the second innings.

Hazlewood has been increasingly unreliable from a fitness point of view and is facing ongoing physical challenges. He turned 34 this week and while still younger than Boland—the toll of international cricket weighs heavily on him.

The real issue is whether he can continue to rebound from injuries as he ages, because that becomes more challenging as time goes on.

But there’s no denying that Hazlewood has been the best Australian fast bowler of his generation if you consider the ICC bowling rankings across all three forms.

And while he has been our most unreliable quick when it comes to his body, when he is out there, he is probably our most reliable in terms of knowing what you are going to get from him. I played with Josh and never once felt concerned that he couldn’t do his job.

Hazlewood has consistently performed at a high level throughout his career. With his focus and game awareness, he knows how to deliver when it matters most, and it’s clear that he takes great pride in his craft. This combination of talent and mental strength makes him a valuable asset.

He doesn’t shy away from a simple plan of hitting the right areas on most pitches around the world while using his height to his advantage with a repeatable and straightforward action.

It’s actually strange to see someone with such an easy and repeatable bowling action struggle with these injuries. Side strains, back issues, and now a calf injury could be attributed to various factors.

The Gabba’s sand-based ground this summer may have contributed to his calf injury, as transitioning from the softer surface to the harder pitch could be a triggering factor.

Additionally, coming back from his latest side injury might have led to compensatory running mechanics, which could have exacerbated the problem.

But he’s returned from plenty of injuries before and will no doubt be focused on doing it again.

It all creates a big dilemma for the selectors and it will be interesting to see how things play out. The competition for spots can only strengthen the team, which is a positive sign for the future.