Scott Boland's fresh dagger to Nathan Lyon as dropped player sends message to selectors
While Mitchell Starc stole the show with an incredible spell that saw him take 6-9 with the pink ball, Boland justified his selection in the side taking a hat-trick to wrap-up the series. Lyon was sensationally dropped from the Aussie XI for the first time in 12 years for the clash in Kingston with Boland entering the side. Lyon had taken part in every Test he has been fit for since the second Test of the 2013 Ashes.
However, Australia opted to add an extra quick in the side for the day-night clash with the pitches favouring the quicks in the West Indies. And Australia's call paid dividends after Boland's insane spell to finish the match.
With the West Indies reeling, Boland took over after the tea break, dismissing Justin Greaves (11), Shamar Joseph (0) and Jomel Warrican (0) in consecutive deliveries in the 14th over. Boland became just the 10th Australia to achieve a Test match hat-trick.
And his performance could be an insight into the way Pat Cummins and the Aussies think ahead of the Ashes. The Aussies claimed dropping Lyon was a one-off decision based on the wickets that have played against the West Indies.
Although Boland continues to push for permanent selection on wickets that favour the quicks. Lyon was a peripheral figure for parts of the series against India last summer having watched the quicks do most of the damage.
Lyon only took nine wickets against India across the five matches and didn't even bowl in some innings. Across Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney the spinner played second-fiddle to the quicks. And with one-eye on the Ashes coming up, Lyon could be left out for tactical reasons if the pitches favour the quicks once again.
Boland now has the best career average of any bowler in Test cricket since WWI. The quick has taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.50 across 14 Test matches. After his performances at the MCG and SCG against India, there are calls growing for Boland to find his way in to the side for the Ashes series.
Scott Boland now has 62 wickets @ 16.5 from 14 Tests - the best career average since WW1 commenced. Only one bowler who was active since the start of the 20th century, SF Barnes no less, is ahead of him on this measure... by a tenth of a run. Fairytale. #WIvAUS pic.twitter.com/ZoaoKLkHW4
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) July 14, 2025
The moment. The reaction. The Scott Boland hat-trick at Sabina Park #WIvAus pic.twitter.com/wHRNki4DYB
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) July 14, 2025
Scotty Boland deserves to be in side. Drop Lyon & have Webster for spin option. Just the 10th Aussie to get a hat-trick in Test cricket. Test bowling ave of 16.8 is currently 7th best ever (min 50 wickets). 11th in the all-time list for most wickets in Sheffield Shield. #WIvAUS pic.twitter.com/zXCxpVG4zB
— Larry Leprechaun (@LarryLeprechau) July 14, 2025
Okay so Aussie attack: Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc, Boland, Green, Webster, Head, Smith.Bench: Labuschagne, Lyon😭😭🙏
— Crickified (@I_am_Shray) July 14, 2025
Surprisngly, Boland was overshadowed by Starc's brilliance. The fast-bowler dismissed John Campbell on the first delivery of the innings, and also sent Kevlon Anderson and Brandon King packing in a triple-wicket maiden first over.
Starc's fourth wicket of the innings took him to 400 for his career, and it came in his 100th match. Aussie great Brad Haddin described it as "ridiculous" bowling in commentary for ESPN, while Greg Blewett said it was the best he'd ever seen Starc bowl.
Unfortunately it was the bowlers that had most of the success against the West Indies with the batters struggling. And Konstas is the one facing the most scrutiny. The 19-year-old endured a horror series having
Konstas only scored 50 runs across his six innings having averaged 8.33 in the series. And while he was given an opportunity to cement his position as opener, it appears he is under pressure heading into the Ashes. And the man that is pushing for a recall is McSweeney.
Despite being dropped during the series against India having averaged 14.4 across the first three matches, McSweeney is finding form again. The No.3 scored 94 not out to lead Australia A to a strong position against Sri Lanka A in Darwin.
McSweeney joined Liam Scott (52no) to finish the day at 4-241 after the visitors made 272. And while McSweeney struggled at opener, Australia is facing a dilemma at the top of the order. Marnus Labuschagne was dropped after the loss to South Africa after a tough two years in the side. And Ausssie selectors will now have to decide if they will give Konstas the opportunity to start the Ashes series, or reinstate a dropped player in McSweeney or Labuschagne for the series opener in Adelaide.
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