Scott Boland is determined to make a mark in the Ashes 2025, believing his skills have improved since the 2023 series. The veteran quick played only two Tests in that 2-2 draw, taking just two wickets, overshadowed by Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood. Since then, he has claimed 27 wickets in just four Tests.
“I’d say so,” Boland said, when asked if he was now a better bowler than in 2023. “Even though I’m getting older, I still think my skills are getting better. Even though I’m in the twilight of my career, I’m still learning about what’s helping me and what’s getting me able to perform at 100 per cent.”
Reflecting on the 2023 Ashes, Boland felt he bowled well despite limited returns. “I’ve thought about (the 2023 Ashes) a lot since it happened. I still think there were times in England when I bowled pretty well, I just didn’t get a wicket. I’m a better bowler than I was back then and (upcoming Ashes) is going to be in conditions I know really well.”
Staying Fit and Ready for the Ashes Grind
At 36, Boland is the oldest member of Australia pace attack. He stressed the importance of maintaining peak fitness through the series. “Ronnie (head coach Andrew McDonald) sort of, not challenged me, but asked me… is there anything we can make a bit different to make sure my body’s at a really high level the whole time? I just want to keep going. Keep my body as good as I can for as long as I can.”
His selection chances are often limited by the presence of Starc, Cummins, and Hazlewood. While he played in a four-pacer attack in the West Indies, Boland does not expect a similar selection in the home Ashes. “I hope so [of playing in a four pacer attack again] – but probably not in Australia. Nathan’s one of the best spin bowlers in the world, he can bowl in any conditions. He’s been the glue to our bowling line-up over the last few years. Then you’ll probably see Greeny (Cameron Green) coming back (from back surgery) and bowling, so that probably hurts the chances of four quicks as well.”
Managing Workload with Test Schedule Gaps
Boland welcomed the eight-day gaps between the first two and the second and third Tests, helping bowlers recover. “There’s such good breaks in between the first two Tests (this summer) that it gives whoever plays an opportunity to really reset and freshen up.”
However, he admitted the four-day turnarounds later in the series could be challenging. He recalled similar fatigue during the Border-Gavaskar series. “Going from last year we had a three-day break in between (the final two Border-Gavaskar Trophy Tests). We bowled the last session here in Melbourne, to bowling again the first session in Sydney. It’s hard work and it probably does take you a session or two to get everything moving again as much as you try and… replicate match intensity. That’s probably another thing I learned: I felt like I was ready going into the first morning, but I still felt really sore and tired.”
England’s Sledging Won’t Distract Australia
Boland insists England’s verbal tactics won’t rattle Australia. “They can do whatever they want when they’re playing. I think we’ve been pretty consistent in the way we’ve played since I’ve been in and around the squad the last four years. Nothing much has changed in how we play our cricket. Even going forward, it’s just going to be whoever wins those big moments in the games. We’ve got match-winners with the bat and with the ball. So yeah, if they want to sledge, that’s fine. I don’t think it’s going to worry our guys too much.”
The much-anticipated Ashes series starts on November 21 at Perth Stadium.
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