Courtesy: CA
Australia pacer Scott Boland has expressed his desire of gaining a spot in his team's playing XI against South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final to be played at the iconic Lord’s in London from June 11 to 15. Boland travelled with the Australian team in Sri Lanka for two Tests played in January-February, but didn’t feature in his side’s playing XI in both games. In his last Test against India in Sydney in January, he picked up 10 wickets and emerged as the Player of the Match (POTM) for his bowling show. However, following that game, he only played for Victoria's second-last Sheffield Shield game of Australia's domestic season in March.
Boland has also been suffering from a sore knee for the last few months. However, the Aussie has shrugged off fitness issues by claiming that he is in great condition now. He has also expressed his desire to make the selector’s job difficult to break into Australia’s 11-member squad against the upcoming Protea challenge in London.
"My goal for probably the last two months was just get myself and my body in the position where I can put my hand up and be ready to go if it goes my way. I probably felt like at the back end of the Shield season, my knee was sort of, not wearing away, but wasn't going how I wanted to go. And I didn't feel like I was bowling how I wanted. But now I feel like I'm in a really good spot that I can bowl how I want to bowl. It's pulling up really well, so that's all I can do, and I just want to make their decision as hard as possible," said Boland.
Australia might prefer Josh Hazlewood over Scott Boland for the WTC 2025 final
Australia may prefer Josh Hazlewood over Scott Boland for the crucial game against Temba Bavuma’s team. Hazlewood has looked in sensational touch recently. The lanky pacer played an essential role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) maiden title win, claiming 22 wickets in 12 matches.
Boland, on the other hand, hasn’t played any competitive game for the last three months. The Aussie side’s captain Pat Cummins will endeavour to record another achievement to his and his team’s profile by beating the Protea team in the humongous game coming ahead.
