An England great believes Pat Cummins’ replacement ‘holds no fear’ for the tourists.
With England believing they have his measure, Australia quick Scott Boland admits he has a point to prove after being taken down during the 2023 Ashes.
After his stunning Boxing Day Test demolition of England on Test debut in 2021, Boland’s reputation outside Australia took a battering 18 months later.
The Victorian ace finished with figures of 2-231 across the two Tests he played in the last Ashes series.
Despite a stunning Test average of 16.53, Boland’s certain inclusion for the first Test in Perth prompted England great Mike Atherton to talk down his prospects.
Atherton declared Boland replacing injured Australia captain Pat Cummins would “hold no fear” for England.
“I learned a lot. I’ve reflected on that tour a fair bit,” Boland said in Perth on Monday when recalling his experience in 2023.
“There will be tweaks to my gameplan for what I want to do, but I don’t think I need to change too much. I just need to execute a bit better.”
When asked if he had anything to prove against England, Boland simply replied: “Only to myself”.
Australia will also be without Josh Hazlewood after the NSW quick was ruled out of the Ashes opener due to a hamstring injury.
It means Boland and Mitchell Starc will almost certainly be joined in the attack by the uncapped Brendan Doggett.
“Obviously you don’t want to be missing two great players like Josh and Pat,” Boland said.
“Our bowling stocks have been really strong for quite a while — no one has been able to break in.
“A new guy or two will get a look in. They’re not inexperienced guys.
“Brendan’s played a lot of first-class cricket and he knows his game.
“He knows what he’s going to need to do to express his skills out on the big stage.”
Dec 9, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow speaks with the media at the Hilton Anatole during the 2024 MLB Winter Meetings. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
In the spider web of infinite potential offseason outcomes for the Boston Red Sox, one thing is clear: They need a power bat.
Trevor Story led the Red Sox with 25 home runs this year, and while it was great to see a resurgence from the veteran shortstop, contending teams don’t lack 30-homer bats. The Red Sox also traded away Rafael Devers, who went on to finish the year with 35 blasts, in the middle of the season.
Regardless of what happens with Alex Bregman’s free agency, this offseason should be judged in large part by whether the Red Sox can lock up either Kyle Schwarber or Pete Alonso, two clear 40-homer threats. Will they get the job done?
On Monday, Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly predicted that the Red Sox would acquire Alonso, and projected a five-year, $145 million contract for the New York Mets’ five-time All-Star first baseman.
“At times last winter, it felt like Pete Alonso was more interested in the Mets than they were in him. Ultimately, he did return to Flushing on a two-year, $54 million deal with an opt-out clause after 2025,” wrote. “Alonso used that opt-out to return to the free-agent market, where he might not be inclined to be as patient with the Mets.
“Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is looking for a middle-of-the-order bat for manager Alex Cora’s lineup, and Alonso may be the missing piece for a Boston group already budding with young talent, particularly if they can’t pry Kyle Schwarber away from the Phillies.”
There would be so many questions left to answer if we knew right now that the Red Sox and Alonso were destined to wind up together. What would it mean for Bregman? Could it signify that the Sox were more inclined to trade for a No. 2 pitcher rather than signing one? And what about Triston Casas?
However, adding a guy who never gets hurt and has averaged 42 homers per 162 games in his career would be a huge difference-maker for the Red Sox, so under almost any circumstances, one would have to view it as a win for Breslow and the front office.