MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 28: Scott Boland of Australia appeals successfully for LBW to dismiss Jonny Bairstow of England during day three of the Third Test match in the Ashes series between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 28, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Australia's Ashes hero Scott Boland has been released from the ODI squad (barring another injury) and has rejoined the Australia A squad for crucial match practice ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka starting on the 29th of June.
The 33-year-old seamer has not played a competitive first-class match since the Sheffield Shield Final in early April and has found himself moving between both squads due to the rising injury toll of key white-ball figures.
Just recently, Boland was called up to the white-ball 50-over squad after fellow seamer Kane Richardson flew home with a hamstring injury.
Initially, the 'A' squad only included Boland for crucial match practice ahead of the first Test.
The four-day game starting today will be just what the Ashes hero needs after carrying the drinks during the three-Test series in Pakistan.
Boland's inclusion in the 'A' squad could be due to the imminent return of Left-Arm quick Mitchell Starc, who needed six stitches in his finger after slicing it on his shoe spike.
Starc will be looking to play a part in the three remaining ODI's in the lead-up to the First Test.
The 30-year-old is a lethal weapon in the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, with 24 wickets from only 3 Tests at 15.16 and 12 ODI wickets from five matches at 18.16.
During Australia's last tour to Sri Lanka in 2016, Starc went at a strike rate of 25.8 across the three-Test series, and eight times, in the six innings he bowled, he took a wicket in the first five overs.