Scott Boland believes he is better prepared to counter England’s aggressive approach when the Ashes return to Australia later this year.
The 36-year-old pacer boasts the sixth-best bowling average in Test history (minimum 50 wickets) but remains behind Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in Australia’s pace hierarchy.
Often waiting on the sidelines, Boland has made a habit of delivering when called upon, most recently with a hat-trick during his 6/36 against the West Indies in pace-friendly conditions.
Reflecting on his challenging Ashes campaign in England two years ago, where he took just two wickets at an average of 115.5, Boland said he has learned from the experience.
“I’ve obviously thought about it a lot since it happened in 2023. But I still think there were times in England where I bowled pretty well and just didn’t get a wicket. I’m a better bowler than I was back then. I’m going to be in our conditions that I know really, really well. I’m hoping to put in some good performances.”
Boland expects Ben Stokes’ England to maintain their attacking style on Australian pitches, which he believes will keep the hosts in the contest.
“They’re going to play aggressively. If the wickets stay similar to what they’ve been over the last few years, I think we’re going to be in the game all the time. There were little parts of the England tour last time, when the ball sort of moved around and favoured the bowlers, but generally over there, the wickets have been a bit flatter.
“And then when you come to Australia, certainly for the last three or four years, they’ve been bowler friendly.”
While there has been speculation about Australia fielding four pacers in the Ashes, Boland insists Nathan Lyon will remain central to the attack.
“Not in Australia. Nathan is one of the best spin bowlers in the world, so I think he can bowl in any conditions. He’s been the glue to our bowling lineup for the last few years.”
Boland, who played three of Australia’s five Tests last summer, says his focus is on being ready for any opportunity.
“I’d love to play all five, but I’d be hoping to play whatever comes up. A few years ago there were seven Tests in the summer and I was hoping to play a couple but didn’t get any games.
“And then last year there were only five Tests, and I got three, so I just got to be ready whenever the opportunity comes,” he added.
The Ashes, part of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle, begins November 21 in Perth.