Boland in line for recall, Doggett called into squad ahead of second Test

Jarred Cross Published November 30, 2024 at 3.00pm (AWST)

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After an extended period touring with the Australian Test squad, Scott Boland appears likely to replace injured seamer Josh Hazlewood for the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Adelaide, which begins next week. (Image: AAP)

Scott Boland appears odds-on favourite to enter Australia's XI for the day-night Test in Adelaide, with Brendan Doggett a chance of becoming the third ever Indigenous man to pull on the baggy green, after Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the match on Saturday.

A "low grade left side injury" has put a line through Hazlewood for the second match of the Border–Gavaskar Series, Cricket Australia has confirmed, with Doggett brought into the squad alongside Sean Abbott.

Doggett had previously toured with the Australian Test squd to the UAE in 2018, however did not debut.

The Worimi man took 6-15 at an economical 1.36 runs per over for Australia A against India A at Mackay in October, with 11 wickets for South Australia across three Shield matches to start the summer.

That includes 5-97 in the opening innings of a day/night fixture against Western Australia in Adelaide last weekend.

However it's more likely the Hazlewood injury will see Boland slot back into the starting XI after repeated series on the sidelines as cover to Australia's regular attack.

Meanwhile Tasmanian allrounder Beau Webster had already joined the squad with news of a "sore" Mitch Marsh earlier this week, to go with Doggett and Abbott's call-up, however Boland's stump-to-stump style presents as the best replacement for the injured Hazlewood.

The Victorian last played in the Test side in the opening two matches of mid-2023's Ashes Series in England.

Boland's taken 35 wickets at an average of 20.34 across his 10 Tests so far.

His only previous pink-ball exploits for Australia included a three-wicket maiden in the second innings to help dismantle West Indies at the Adelaide Oval in December 2022.

Boland is leading the attack for the Prime Minister's XI in a two-day, day-night tour match against India at Manuka Oval from Saturday afternoon.

Young Kamilaroi quick Charlie Anderson joins him in the squad.

"We are utilising the opportunity to maintain Scott Boland's match fitness in his preparations as part of the Test squad," Australian chief selector George Bailey said last week.

The Second Test begins Friday December 6 at Adelaide Oval.

Australia and India's women's sides begin their ODI series in Brisbane on Thursday afternoon.

Star Muruwari allrounder Ash Gardner has been named in the Australian squad for the three match series, which is followed by an ODI series against New Zealand.