Australia pacer Scott Boland is likely to miss the 5th test match to be played at Hobart. According to reports, he suffered an elbow and rib injury during a drawn test match at Sydney last week.
Notable that he fell awkwardly on his ribs and elbow during the first innings of England in the Sydney Test. The match ended in a draw as Stuart Broad and James Anderson denied the hosts the final wicket as England avoided the possibility of a whitewash. Boland reportedly bowled through pain during the second innings.
Scott Boland picked 14 wickets in 2 Test matches
“With the help of painkillers, Boland was able to push through and continue bowling,” According to a report in The Age on Tuesday.
Boland had a fine start to his Test career as the 32-year old picked 14 wickets in 2 matches with an average of 8.64 which included a ‘Player of the match’ performance in his debut test where he bowled an exceptional spell of 6/7 in the second innings at Melbourne. In the Sydney Test, he again continued from where he left in Melbourne as the right arm pacer returned with figures of 4/36 and 3/30.
Despite dominating the series, Australia had struggled with injuries of fast bowlers. Josh Hazlewood missed out on the rest of the series after playing the opening test match at Brisbane. Jhye Richardson who played in the pink ball test still recovering from a leg injury so Michael Neser might get a chance again in Hobart. The allrounder made his Test debut at Adelaide but he couldn’t much of an impact in his debut test, picking just two wickets.
Meanwhile England camp is also suffering from injury woes. Jos Buttler has been ruled out for the final Test at Hobart due to a finger injury. Sam Billings has been brought in as a cover. They are also waiting on the availability of Ben Stokes.
The fifth and final test will start on January 14 at Hobart. England hasn’t won a Test match in Australia since January as Joe Root would be searching for his first victory down under as captain. Root also didn’t score a Test century in Australia in his 13 Tests which he would like to change in Hobart.
Also Read: Ashwin Can Continue To Play The Role Of spinning All-rounder in Any Conditions”- Virat Kohli