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“Boland ahead of Hazlewood”: Ian Healy on Australia’s bowling pecking order
Lachlan Geleit, SEN • February 5th, 2025 2:04 pm
Former Aussie keeper Ian Healy now has Scott Boland ahead of Josh Hazlewood in the Test pecking order.
While Boland has been Australia’s fourth seamer effectively since making his debut in the 2021/22 Ashes series, Healy thinks he’s now worked his way to the nation’s No. 3 option behind only Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, with Hazlewood slipping to fourth.
Boland replaced an injured Hazlewood for three of the five Tests in the recent Border-Gavaskar series, taking 21 wickets at an average of 13.19. While the New South Welshman was also impressive with six wickets at an average of 13.16 in his one-and-a-half games, Healy thinks his injury troubles make him less of a safe bet than his Victorian counterpart in the longest format.
“I have Scott Boland ahead of Josh Hazlewood after his performance against India, which was filling in for Josh Hazlewood,” Healy told SENQ Breakfast.
“The thing with Josh is, you just can't afford to miss as many games as he is doing. He’s played 16 out of the last 34 Tests.”
Even though Healy would now be favouring Boland over Hazlewood in home Tests and in England, he does feel that the latter should be preferred elsewhere and in other formats with Hazlewood a better all-condition bowler.
“They're both good, and I think Josh is a better bowler in all conditions,” Healy said.
“So, Scott Boland you might play over him in certain conditions, and that could be in Australia where it's bouncing and seaming, and England's also like that.
“You might be horses for courses with Scotty Boland forever, and hope that Josh does stay on the field until he has to retire.”
The next time Australia may have to consider the Boland v Hazlewood selection debate is for the World Test Championship Final against South Africa at Lord’s in June.
