Following a rollicking series opener against the Proteas at the Gabba that yielded a favorable result in just under two days, the Australians have revealed an unchanged eleven for the second Test in Melbourne. The ever-so-impressive Scott Boland retains his place in the team, returning to the venue where he made his Test bow last year.
Scott Boland has been named in the starting eleven as the experienced pacer Josh Hazlewood continues his recovery from a side strain. Hazlewood, who has missed Australia's last two matches, was in contention to start at the MCG after bowling full tilt in the nets ahead of the Boxing Day Test. However, Australian skipper Pat Cummins clarified that the pacer pulled out of the second Test as he feels he is still not fully fit to make his return to the playing eleven.
"We gave Joshy (Hazlewood) every chance, (but) it just got to a stage where (he) more than anyone else felt like he was a little bit underdone. "It's a mark of the man really, he himself said 'don't feel quite right' so he kind of pulled himself out of selection," Australia captain Pat Cummins told reporters on Christmas morning.
Everyone would've felt a little bit aggrieved if Scott missed out: Cummins
Hazlewood's misfortune means that Scott Boland, who has scalped an astonishing 25 wickets at 10.33 since his debut at the MCG last year, will return to the venue as a cult hero. The last time the victorian played in front of his home crowd, he dazzled with sensational bowling figures of 6-7. Cummins reckoned it would've been hard on the pacer to miss out on the Boxing Day test given his recent performances.
"We didn't really get to the decision point, we gave it enough time and it played out. There would have been a part of everyone that would've felt a little bit aggrieved if Scott missed out," Cummins added.
Australia XI for 2nd Test: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
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