Australia have added Scott Boland to their Ashes squad ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
“Boland has been training with the team in Adelaide and joins the squad while the medical team assesses the fast bowling group following the second Test victory,” a release from Cricket Australia stated on Tuesday (December 21).
Boland, the Marsh Sheffield Shield player of the year in 2018-19, has been in stellar form for Victoria this summer with 15 wickets from 2 matches against New South Wales, averaging 10. He also featured in the game against England Lions in Brisbane before getting together with the national team in Adelaide.
Ahead of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, Hazlewood had sustained a side strain in Brisbane, while Cummins was out after having come in close contact with a COVID-19 positive case at a restaurant in Adelaide. If Hazlewood is fit, another pace-bowling option could be in the mix in order to manage the workload of the Australian pacers given Mitchell Starc has played both Tests so far that helped Australia take a 2-0 lead in the 5-match series. Else, Hazlewood could be rested for another Test in order to make a full recovery.
