Ashes 2023: Ricky Ponting backs Josh Hazlewood to play ahead of Scott Boland

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Ricky Pontinga former captain of Australia, praised Scott Boland but asserted that Josh Hazlewood would return to the team with ease if he is fully healthy for the first Ashes Test. Notably, Hazlewood was cut from Australia’s World Test Championship (WTC) final roster because his recovery took longer than expected. He was scheduled to participate in the championship game versus India, but his Achilles Tendon injury returned and forced him to withdraw from the match.

Scott Boland, on the other hand, is in fantastic shape for the WTC final. Despite the fact that he removed Shubman Gill and KS Bharat from the game in the first innings, Ponting prefers Hazlewood over Boland because the former has much-needed experience under his belt.

Ricky Ponting said

“Nothing changes for me. If Hazlewood is fit and they are 100% convinced that he can get through the game, then I think he’ll start, but if he doesn’t you have a pretty good back-up,” Ponting was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

“Scotty (Scott Boland) is very impressive. The thing the selectors might be thinking about is Josh’s injury record over the last few years. When you look at it, with Scotty bowling the way he is, it’s a pretty compelling argument to say is he in their starting XI for the first Test. Looking ahead, though, with five Test matches in six weeks, don’t think we can expect either bowling group to get through [fully]both teams will probably have to rest a quick or two here and there through the series,” the former cricketer added.

Pat Cumminsthe captain of Australia, has previously stated his intention to play all six Test matches in England. It will be fascinating to see if the bowlers can handle their fitness after the WTC final because Australia will play England in a five-match Test series. Speaking on the same, Ponting stated that Cummins has a very good chance of playing every game if Cameron Green plays well in the centre.

“In series gone by, where there hasn’t been that world-class allrounder to throw the ball to for 15 overs an innings, then it would have been less likely,” he said. “But I think if Pat manages himself well enough , with Green there to help out, I think the captain can get through,” Ponting added.

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