Scott Boland‘s place in Australia’s side is likely to come under scrutiny for the second Test at Lord’s after he was taken for nearly six an over at Edgbaston. Head coach Andrew McDonald admitted there was some surprise at how aggressive England’s batters were against Boland, who conceded 147 from 26 overs across the two innings.
McDonald said –
“We’d seen the way they go about it, they are ultra-aggressive, but I think Scott Boland, that match-up probably surprised us how aggressive they were against Scott. So that’s something we can look at and find better ways through.”
Mitchell Starc, who was omitted in favour of Josh Hazlewood in the first Test, could be a straight swap for Boland.
McDonald suggested that with a degree of hindsight about how conditions played out at Edgbaston, where the pitch was largely flat and slow, Starc could have had an impact.
McDonald added – “I think the fact the line and length potentially over left-arm swing, and we didn’t feel as though we may have got swinging conditions here. It’s really down to a gut feel at selection, it can be critiqued any way you want.”
McDonald further said –
“We feel as though, looking back on it, potentially Mitch could have played a role, there’s no doubt about that. But we felt like when we went into the game with all the information that we had, we made the best decision. We took Starcy on that journey, he understands that and he understands the fact there are four more Test matches and he’s got a pivotal part to play within that.”
