Scott Boland has revealed he turned down the opportunity to play Country cricket in England this season, instead prioritising freshness ahead of Australia's packed upcoming Test cricket schedule.
The Gulidjan seamer is a member of the 17-man squad currently preparing to tour the UK, with Australia scheduled to pay six tests against India and England.
Australia's tour will commence against India in the World Test Championship Final at the Oval in London next month, followed by a five-Test Ashes campaign throughout June and July.
Although Boland has only played seven tests since his debut against in England in the 2021 Ashes, the 34-year-old veteran of Victorian cricket is well aware that his workload needs managing to contribute in the upcoming series and prolong his international career.
"I've wanted to (play county cricket)," Boland told cricket.com.au.
"But I know my body, that if I'm at a stage where I'm getting tired, I want to keep my career going for as long as I can. I don't want to burn out.
Since 2017, the ever-reliable quick has sent down more deliveries for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield than any other bowler, however has opted against playing in England's County Championship over the past two seasons to ensure he is at his best when playing for his state and country.
"(I avoid) bowling balls that aren't as important to me as bowling for Victoria or bowling for Australia," Boland said.
"(I wanted to) come into the (Australian) summer being pretty fresh. That's when I'm playing my best.
"I did have the opportunity to play county cricket this year, but I prioritised being a bit fresher going into six Tests in two months."
Having last played on English soil five years ago as a member of the touring Australian Indigenous team, Boland said he has been picking the brains of Australian skipper Pat Cummins to ensure he is best placed to perform in English conditions.
"I've spoken to Paddy about the ball, how he holds it, and what he's thinking when it's moving so far," Boland said.
"He also said you don't need to chase wickets. If the conditions are in your favour and you don't get a wicket in one spell, the ball will still be moving so you'll be every chance in your next spell."
Boland isn't shying away from the prospect of playing on "flat wickets", a possibility already confirmed by England captain Ben Stokes, suggesting better batting conditions favour his Australian team mates.
"We're probably more suited to playing on flat wickets," Boland said of his bowling partners.
"We do it a touch more than the English guys do.
"(And) it's going to suit our batters just as much as it will theirs.
Regardless of conditions, Boland said he is prepared to play at any stage of the series, saying it is unlikely for any of Australia's bowlers to feature in every Test.
"It will be tough for fast bowlers to play all six games," Boland said.
"I'm definitely preparing to play. It could be at the start, it could be halfway through, I'm not sure.
"But I'm planning to play and excited to play whenever they choose me."
The World Test Championship between Australia and India begins on 7 June with the First Test between Australia England commencing nine days later.
ICC World Test Championship Final
Wednesday June 7 - Sunday June 12, The Oval
2023 Qantas Ashes Tour of the UK
First Test: Friday June 16-Tuesday June 20, Edgbaston
Second Test: Wednesday June 28-Sunday July 2, Lord's
Third Test: Thursday July 6-Monday July 10, Headingley
Fourth Test: Wednesday July 19-Sunday July 23, Old Trafford
Fifth Test: Thursday July 27-Monday 31, The Oval
