Scott Boland Replaces Josh Hazlewood In Australia’s Playing XI For 2nd Test Against India – News18

Last Updated:December 05, 2024, 10:01 IST

Scott Boland has played two red-ball matches against India since making his Test debut on December 26, 2021, in Melbourne, and has five wickets to his name.

Fast bowler Scott Boland will replace injured Josh Hazlewood in Australia’s playing XI for the second Test of the ongoing five-match series against India. The second Test of 2024-25 of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to start on Friday (December 6) and will be played with a pink ball at Adelaide Oval. Hazlewood, who dismissed four Indian batters in the first innings of the Perth Test played at Optus Stadium from November 22 to 25, is out of the second match due to injury-related issues.

Boland is the only change in Australia’s playing XI for the day-night Test. There were question marks over Marnus Labuschagne’s place in the side as well, but the former world No. 1 Test batter has managed to retain his place. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh was also a doubtful starter due to fitness-related issues, but he has also been named in the playing XI.

In the first innings of the first Test against India, Marsh impressed with his bowling and picked up two wickets.

After going down by 295 runs in the first Test, Australia would like to come up with a big show in the second Test against India. In the last pink ball Test played between the two teams at Adelaide Oval, Australia dismissed the Indian team for just 36 runs in the second innings. The hosts will be eager to repeat the same show once again and level the series.

Boland’s Test record vs India

35-year-old Boland, who has 35 wickets to his name in 10 Tests played so far since making his debut against England during the 2021 Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground, has played two Tests against India. He remained wicketless in the first match played at VCA Stadium in Nagpur from February 9 to 11 in 2023, but in the 2023 WTC final played at The Oval from June 7 to 11, he got rid of two Indian batters in the first innings and three in the second.

Australia’s playing XI for the 2nd Test: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland