Australia’s Pace Conundrum: Boland ‘big three’ debate reignites with full set of quicks available
Australia’s selectors are facing a challenging predicament as a full contingent of their premier fast bowlers are fit and vying for a spot in the Test squad. This intense competition has reignited the discussion around who truly constitutes Australia’s ‘big three’ quicks, particularly with Scott Boland mounting an increasingly strong case for inclusion over a fully fit Josh Hazlewood for the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh in August.
Chair of selectors George Bailey acknowledged the ongoing deliberation, stating that Boland is making a compelling argument to be considered among the top tier, rather than merely a reserve option. Both Boland and Hazlewood have been named alongside stalwarts Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in a formidable 13-man squad for the series, scheduled to be played in Darwin and Mackay. Notably, Ashes hero Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett, who featured in earlier Ashes Tests, were omitted from this star-studded lineup, underscoring the depth of fast-bowling talent currently at Australia’s disposal.
The Return of the ‘Big Four’
This marks a significant occasion, as it is the first time the primary quartet of Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, and Boland have been included in a Test squad since their collective appearance in the final Test against West Indies in Jamaica last year. That particular match saw Nathan Lyon rested from the day-night contest, allowing all four quicks to play together. The intervening period has been riddled with injuries, with Hazlewood missing the entirety of the last Ashes series and Cummins playing only once due to a back issue. Lyon too was sidelined for most of the Ashes with a serious hamstring injury, limiting Australia to a frontline spinner in only two matches.
However, the landscape has shifted dramatically. With all three key players now fully available for the Darwin Tests and Lyon being the sole spinner in the squad, conditions at TIO Stadium are almost guaranteed to necessitate a spinner in the XI. This scenario invariably means that one of Hazlewood or Boland, who remarkably played all five Ashes Tests alongside Starc, will likely be sidelined.
Boland’s Undeniable Case and Consistent Performance
Despite his exceptional record, Boland has frequently found himself on the fringes when all four pacers are fit. He was notably squeezed out during the Caribbean tour when only three quicks were selected. Historically, Boland has only once been chosen ahead of one of the established ‘big three’ – this occurred during the World Test Championship final in 2023, where Hazlewood was still recovering from an Achilles issue. Boland then retained his place ahead of Starc in the subsequent first Ashes Test at Edgbaston. Yet, since then, he has consistently been overlooked when the trio of Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood have been fully fit, despite his remarkable statistics, particularly on home soil.
Bailey, however, confirmed that Boland’s inclusion remains a constant and active conversation among the selectors.
