‘Pretty tight’ Boland reveal as first Test XI locked in, key batting order call made

Josh Hazlewood has pipped Scott Boland for the third fast bowler’s spot in Australia’s team for the first Test against Bangladesh.

Captain Pat Cummins confirmed on Wednesday that Hazlewood, who hasn’t played a Test since the tour of the West Indies more than 12 months ago and missed the entire Ashes summer, would return in Darwin on Thursday.

The 35-year old’s inclusion extends extend his, Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon’s record number of Tests as a bowling quartet.

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Cummins also confirmed Cameron Green would bat at No. 5, replacing the retired Usman Khawaja.

There had been speculation wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who enjoyed a stunning Ashes series, would continue to bat above Green and fellow all-rounder Beau Webster in the batting order.

But the South Australian will bat at No. 6 at TIO Stadium, with Webster slotting in at No.7.

Lyon will also return from a hamstring injury that sidelined him from the final two Ashes Tests.

Boland and Josh Inglis are the two names from Australia’s 13-man squad not selected for the first Test in Darwin in over two decades.

Cummins admitted the selection was a tough decision, with Boland averaging 18.58 in 19 Tests to date.

He had played the last six Tests consecutively, the longest streak of his career, since being recalled for the final Test at Lyon’s expense in last year’s tour of the West Indies, where he claimed a hat-trick.

However, the first Ashes Test of the 2023 series, when he was selected over Starc, is the only time he has been picked over any of Hazlewood, Cummins or Starc when fully fit.

“They’re both pretty class, aren’t they?” Cummins said of the choice between the New South Welshman and the Victorian.

“It’s always a pretty tight call.

“It’s one of those ones where there’s not much you can say to Scotty, other than there’s a lot of cricket coming up.

“He knows his worth and how good he is, I’m sure he’ll be out there at some point pretty soon.”

Cummins also confirmed leaving Lyon out of the team, as Australia did in the West Indies and at the Gabba against England last year in favour of a four-man pace attack, was never an option.

“We were pretty certain we wanted ‘Lyono’ in the side, so just working out what the make-up of the quicks were,” he said.

“It’s great to have Nath back ... he’s been great, it’s been pretty public how hard he’s worked over the last six months or so.

“He’s in there every day training, looking for this opportunity.

“He’s been bowling beautifully, and as captain of the team it’s going to be awesome to have him back out there.”

Cummins confirmed that the team would resist a “funky” call to push Carey into the No.5 position.

Having spent the majority of his career at No.7, the wicketkeeper moved one spot up for the final four Ashes Tests, ahead of first Inglis and then Green, scoring a century in Adelaide.

“‘Kez’ has won a few games for us at No.6,” Cummins said.

“We like that combination of him and Webster at 6-7, and feel like Greeny’s a good No.5.

“We thought that’s how the team will function the best. It’s a pretty good problem to have when someone like Kez, you feel can bat even higher than where he is.”

Cummins backed in Green’s spot in the team, with the all-rounder having dealt with criticism after a disappointing Ashes with both bat and ball.

However, he urged the 27-year old to “assert himself on the game”.

“We like it when he’s nice and busy and putting pressure back on the bowlers, he’s really intimidating,” he said.

“Same with when he’s bowling, having that presence.

“He’s quite an intimidating sight when he gets going.

“You see him in some T20 games, he’s beating the ball around.

“He’s almost got too many skills, so it’s like ‘just get out there, assert yourself, strip it away, there’s no pressure from us. Just go, you’ve got freedom, get out of your own way and just go play’.”

Bangladesh and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto are yet to name an XI.

However, Shanto confirmed star batter Litton Das would play having overcome a calf strain.

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