Brett Lee chooses between Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland for the Boxing Day Test against South Africa

Australian speedster, Brett Lee believes that Australia must pick Josh Hazlewood over Scott Boland for the second Test match against South Africa in Melbourne Cricket Ground, starting 26th December 2022. Notably, Hazlewood didn’t play the first Test against the Proteas because of a minor side strain but he is expected to be fit for the second Test.

Hazlewood making his return in the second Test would mean that Boland ought to sit out and warm the bench. Boland has been in sensational form with the ball in the longest format. He has made the best of the opportunities presented to him so far in his short career.

In just five Test matches, he has managed to pick 25 wickets at an outstanding average of 10.26. Interestingly, his best bowling performance of 6 for 7 also came at the Melbourne Cricket Ground against England.

However, legendary Australian fast bowler Brett Lee reckons that if Hazlewood is fit to play the second Test then he should be picked over Scott Boland.

“If Josh Hazlewood is fully fit, I‘d be going Josh Hazlewood. Nothing against (Scott) Boland, he‘s a brilliant bowler and gets wickets for fun – but 58 Tests under his belt and 217 wickets in the Hoff. He’s got to be fully fit though. Coming back from a side strain is really tough.”

“When you think you’re ready, you’ve got to give an extra week. I think what Cricket Australia might do is rest him in Melbourne and play him up in Sydney,” Brett Lee said while speaking to Fox Sports
Meanwhile, Steve Smith reminded fans of Scott Boland’s sensational performance in the Boxing Day Test last year and says that it would be tough to drop him in the next Test.

“I think it’d be tough on Scotty (Boland) if he gets left out for sure. Boxing Day last year he was just incredible and he’s been incredible since he started. He’s got that ability to hit the stumps from probably a shorter length than a lot of the other bowlers being a little bit shorter and a bit skiddier, so brings in both sides of the bat, whereas Josh (Hazlewood) is probably a little bit more bouncy and brings in the outside edge more than the inside edge,” Smith said.