Former Australian skipper Allan Border has backed the Pat Cummins-led team to keep the same team that beat India in the WTC Final for the upcoming Ashes. Australia won by a massive margin of 209 runs in the summit clash at the Oval to win their ninth overall ICC trophy and became the first team to win all major ICC titles.
Meanwhile, the Australian team will enter the Ashes with some selection headaches as Josh Hazlewood is expected to be fit for the first Test match. However, Scott Boland was the pick of the Australian seamer in the WTC Final against India and it will be tough for the think tank to keep him on the sidelines.
Boland had scalped five wickets against India and bowled in the corridor of uncertainty to breathe down the neck of opposition batters. On the other hand, Josh Hazlewood has lacked game time in the recent past since his injury.
Allan Border wants Australia to back Scott Boland as he was right on the money against India.
Border told News Corp: “Boland has to stay. He was threatening all the time against India. It was just like Terry Alderman and Terry was just phenomenal in England. They are both the perfect pace for English conditions in the way they kiss the wicket.”
He continued: “Boland’s style of bowling and his general accuracy makes him the prototype English bowler. In those conditions Boland is just about first picked. They have to keep the same team that beat India.”
On the other hand, former England skipper Michael Atherton also wants Australia to back Scott Boland as he can bowl long spells for the team.
Atherton wrote in his column for The Times: “Because of the physique, attitude and strengths that long apprenticeship on backbreaking pitches have instilled, Boland is something of a throwback. He is the kind of cricketer that fast-medium bowlers of yesteryear would recognise and admire. He is broad-shouldered and has a big backside and a heavy, deliberate walk back to his mark.”
“Want a long spell? Boland is your man. Need an hour from someone when the pitch is flat and the batsmen are set? Turn to Boland.He is strong, reliable, consistent and skilful.”
Australia will take on England in the first Ashes Test from June 16 onwards at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
