Boland misses out in Sri Lanka, Doggett makes BBL move

Jarred Cross Published February 6, 2025 at 3.00pm (AWST)

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Boland will go unneeded across the two-Test series in Sri Lanka, while Brenan Doggett has signed a two-year deal with the Renegades as a free agent this week. (Image: AAP)

Scott Boland will not feature with the red ball in Sri Lanka after as Australia eyes a series sweep with just one change made following a dominant first Test.

It appeared a very slim chance the Gulidjan quick would come into the XI in spin-friendly conditions at Galle after their innings and 242-run win last week, and a first series win in the country for 14 years on the table.

Mitchell Starc held the sole frontline seamer position.

The veteran's three wickets were a soft indication of his performance with the ball.

Starc boasts a enviable record in Sri Lanka, taking 32 wickets at 16.9 across seven matches.

Newly debuted allrounder Beau Webster wasn't required to bowl in the first test, while spinners Todd Murphy, Nathan Lyon and Matt Kuhnemann - the best at 9-149 for the match, combined for the remaining wickets.

Murphy made way for debutant left-arm finger-spinning allrounder Cooper Connolly to make his debut in the second Test.

After 21 wickets at 13.2 across three matches of the home summer, Boland is likely to remain in the mix for a return to the side in June's World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's.

The schedule for Australia's following three-Test series in the West Indies was confirmed earlier on Thursday, to start June 26, before a home Ashes series.

In white-ball news at home, Worimi seamer Brendan Doggett has landed at the Renegades for BBL15, signing a two-year deal earlier this week.

Doggett, 30, joins the Victorian franchise as a free agent in the league's first Player Movement Window after two campaigns with Adelaide Strikers.

*The Worimi seamer joins the Renegades on a two-year deal as a free agent. (Image: AAP)*

He had previous played for Brisbane Heat and Sydney Thunder and joins Jason Behrendorff as pace recruits to the Renegades for next season.

"I'm super excited for the opportunity and really looking forward to pulling on red and playing in front of a packed house at Marvel Stadium," Doggett said, via a Renegades statement.

"It's a really strong squad the Gades are putting together with plenty of talent, especially that bowling group and it's exciting to be part of it."

Doggett has taken 43 wickets at 28.7 across 48 Big Bash matches.

He had a limited presence in the most recent BBL season.

The right-armer was included in Australia's Test squad for the recent Border-Gavaskar series.