Scott Boland can be the most successful of Australia’s attack in this Ashes series: Steve Waugh

Scott Boland and Steve Waugh. (Photo Source : Gettyimages)

Former Australia cricketer Steve Waugh believes Scott Boland can be Australia’s best bowler in the upcoming Ashes series. The 2023 Ashes will be contested in five different venues in England from June 16 to July 31.

Since Boland’s Test debut in 2021 against England, the Victoria quick has taken 33 wickets at 14.57, the third-best average in history, and has an economy rate of 2.31, the second-best among all seamers in the last four years.

Boland was instrumental in Australia’s recent World Test Championship (WTC) victory over India, with match figures of 5-105 at The Oval in London. Boland’s relative lack of height allows him to move the ball off a good length and yet hit the stumps on seaming wickets, and is the kind of potential that could help Australia win an Ashes series in England.

Waugh described Boland as a great bowler in the longest format of the game. The 58-year-old believes the Victorian will be crucial for Australia’s attack in the forthcoming Ashes. He also mentioned how much he admires Boland’s bowling, which is constantly aimed at the batter and hits the pitch hard.

“He is a great Test-match bowler. He can be the most successful of our attack in this Ashes series. I just love the way he bowls. He is always at the batsman and hits the pitch really hard,” Waugh was quoted as saying by The West Australian.

I know I’ll get a chance at some stage: Boland

Boland stated that it is his responsibility to continue excelling and making the selectors’ jobs difficult. He also said that all he has to do is keep doing his job and taking wickets to get an opportunity at some point. Hazlewood has only played four Tests in the last two years due to injuries, but he remains one of Australia’s most consistent bowler.

“I don’t know (if that’s the case). That’s my job … to keep performing, keep making the selectors’ job hard. I’ve just got to keep doing my role, keep taking wickets. If I can play it’s great. If I don’t play then obviously I’m disappointed. But I know I’ll get a chance at some stage,” said Boland.

Boland went on to say that he expected the attack to be rotated during the English summer, admitting that playing all six Tests would be difficult. The 34-year-old also stated that if there are one or two games that are only two or three days long, it makes things easier.

“I’ve got through six Shield games in two months before, and it’s hard work. If there’s one or two games that are short, like two or three days, it makes it a bit easier. But everyone’s got their head around (the fact) we’re going to have to rotate,” he added.