Scott Boland replaces injured Coulter-Nile
Young victoria fast bowler Scott Boland might just make it to the Australian XI that plays the West Indies on boxing day this year, should any of the three fast bowlers- Peter Siddle, Josh Hazelwood and James Pattinson- face any injury issues, after he was confirmed as the 12th man replacing the now injured Nathan Coulter-Nile.
Coulter-Nile dislocated his right shoulder while fielding during the Perth Scorchers’ BBL game against the Adelaide Strikers and is out of contention for at least 2nd Test, with the exact stature of his injury to be known only after the scans are done.
Cricket Australia physiotherapist David Beakley said, “The Scorchers medical team confirmed that Nathan dislocated his right shoulder while fielding last night.”
"Although the extent of the injury and rehabilitation period will not be fully known until we receive the results of scans later today, we can confirm that Nathan will not be available for the Boxing Day Test.”
Boland was on standby for the squad that was picked for the first Test against the West Indies in Hobart where Coulter-Nile was the 12th man.
In this Sheffield Shield season, the 26-year old has picked up 13 wickets at 17.07, with his most noticeable performance coming against Western Australia in Perth, where picked up 7 wickets for 31 runs and bowled with pace, accuracy and movement.
For Coulter-Nile though, this injury comes as a massive setback, as his Test debut has been delayed yet again. He has had his own tussle with injuries having played only 13 ODIs since making his debut in 2013.
Boland, who would now be dreaming of a debut at his home ground, on one of the most celebrated days in the Australian cricket history, said in a press conference that he was pretty excited to be a part of the team.
Brimming with confidence and jubilation, Boland remarked that he couldn’t wait for the game to start and be a part of the dressing room and meet the players. On being asked whether getting the Baggy Green at the MCG makes the moment extra special, he responded in the affirmative.
“I can’t wait to be in setup and start training, meet everyone and it will be a dream come true if it does happen this summer,” he said.
The reassurance came when asked whether he was surprised when the call came up so early in his first-class career. The pacer believed that he had been bowling really well for the past two seasons, yet he was a bit surprised when the call came, and so were his coaches.