Former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Ian Healy believes pacer Scott Boland should play in the first Test against India in Nagpur if Australia only plays two seamers. He also mentioned that uncapped tearaway quick Lance Morris could play if the visitors decide to field three seamers.
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the first Test against India on Sunday due to a left Achilles niggle. His injury has thrown Australia's plans into disarray, with Mitchell Starc out for the first Test and Cameron Green a doubtful starter due to the all-recovery rounder's from a fractured finger that required surgery.
"We only have Cummins for the first test. We may or may not use two spinners, which would necessitate the use of Boland and Morris. If we play two quicks, I'd go with Boland; if we play three quicks, Morris comes in."
"I don't believe we can win in India by being conservative, but I believe Cummins and Morris combined may be insufficient. Since 2004, we've only won one Test (in India) "Healy stated on the SENQ Breakfast show.
Because of Hazlewood's injury, Boland is in line to play his first Test abroad, with Morris also having the option of making his Test debut in Nagpur. Boland has taken 28 wickets at an average of 12.21 and a strike rate of 33.2 in six Tests for Australia since his debut in the Boxing Day Test in the Ashes at the MCG.
"Scotty has bowled a lot at the MCG on flat wickets when it wasn't swinging or reverse swinging, so he knows how to work hard for a long time.
Lance Morris has been working hard on his reverse swing for the last month, and he has a nice lead in here with a few sessions. The guys are most excited to play in the subcontinent, which neither of them has done yet, but they are both very well qualified to do so "On Sunday, cricket.com.au quoted Hazlewood as saying.
Following Nagpur, India and Australia will play three more Test matches in New Delhi, Dharamshala, and Ahmedabad. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is currently held by India, which has won the last three series against Australia in 2017, 2018-19, and 2020-21, while Australia last won a Test series in India in 2004.