Australia is facing an injury crisis ahead of the Ashes opener against England on Friday, with star fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood both ruled out.
However, the vacancies open a potentially historic opportunity for the hosts: fast bowlers Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett are poised to become the first pair of Indigenous cricketers to be selected in the same Australia men's Test team. Boland, a proud Gulidjan man, and Doggett, whose heritage traces to the Worimi people, were both included in Australia's expanded fast bowling pool.
The absence of two-thirds of Australia's "big three" fast bowlers is a gilt-edged opportunity for England, but Australia remains confident due to Boland’s exceptional record in home conditions. Smith highlighted Boland’s value, stating: “We’ve got a pretty good replacement in Scott Boland, who I think is arguably one of the best bowlers in the world. His record in Australia is outrageous. We’re lucky to have Scotty there ready to go.”
Boland, an ever-reliable presence in the squad, rose to international fame during the 2021-22 Ashes when he claimed an incredible six for seven on his Test debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. His strength lies in his accuracy and ability to target the stumps, capitalizing on Australia's fast, bouncy pitches.
Boland confirmed his strategy, stating, "I know when we go into a bowling meeting we all come out laughing that it’s top of off and the occasional bouncer, I don’t think anything will really change from that."
The prospect of Doggett joining Boland in the XI has historical weight, with Boland expressing excitement about the potential for change. The selection "just gives kids a real pathway that they can see that there’s two guys playing, then hopefully they want to take that step into playing cricket." Doggett, who was first included in a Test squad in 2018, has returned to the forefront as a standout at the first-class level since moving to South Australia, where he helped break a 29-year title drought last season.
The necessity of rotating quicks due to the injury uncertainty means Boland could play an outsized part in the five-Test series that starts in Perth. This is a contrast to his struggles during the 2023 Ashes tour of England, where he managed just two wickets in as many games. Australia coach Andrew McDonald dismissed the idea that England has "worked Scott Boland out," noting: "When he comes back into Australian conditions, he gets bounce, hits the rope (seam), he’s a handful."
The series opener at Optus Stadium presents a massive opportunity for Ben Stokes’s side to break Australia’s 13-year dominance of winning Ashes series at home. England looks set to field a five-man pace attack, with key players like Jofra Archer and Mark Wood now cleared of injury concerns.
However, the host nation, with Boland leading the attack, remains a tough proposition, aiming to protect their unbeaten home record in Tests played without both Cummins and Hazlewood since 2012.