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Scott Boland or Mitchell Starc? Waugh and Vaughan Pick 'Perfect' Bowler for Lord's Test

image-ljfbjmhfBoland picked two wickets in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston | AP Photo

Former Australian cricketer, Mark Waugh has batted for the inclusion of Scott Boland in Australia’s playing XI for the second Ashes Test, deeming him an ideal fit for the upcoming encounter.

Boland's skills resonate with experts for second Ashes Test at Lord's

The Aussie veteran emphasized the effectiveness of Boland's bowling style on the Lord's surface, explaining that his ability to consistently hit the right areas along with the inherent variations in his deliveries, renders him a potent threat.

"He's (Scott Boland) the perfect bowler for Lord's, because if you hit the line and length the natural variation makes you dangerous,"  Waugh told FOX Cricket.

According to Waugh, the decision, however, presents a dilemma as the Australian team management may be tempted to include Mitchell Starc in Australia’s playing XI to add diversity to their bowling attack, which predominantly comprises towering right-armers. 

"It's going to be a tough call because they'll want to bring Starc in, that extra pace through the air gives variety to what is a pretty much the same Australian bowling attack with lots of tall right-armers. It's going to be a tough and it will probably depend on the surface. So it could go either way," added Waugh.

Moreover, in a rare convergence of opinion, former England captain, Michael Vaughan, also echoed Waugh's sentiments, concurring with the idea of Boland's potential inclusion based on the anticipated conditions at Lord's.

"If there's lateral movement and it looks like it's going to do anything, I think they have to play Boland once again and go with the same team. I think they should have used Starc at Edgbaston because it was flat and leave Boland for Lord's," said the England veteran.

Despite his reputation as one of the best Test bowlers, Starc was omitted from Australia's attack in the first Ashes Test. Consequently, the returning Josh Hazlewood was preferred over Starc for the opening encounter.

Meanwhile, England have already finalized their playing XI for the second Ashes Test at Lord’s. Notably, the team has opted to forgo a frontline spinner, with Moeen Ali being omitted. Instead, the 25-year-old seamer Josh Tongue has been selected to as the hosts have decided to go with an all-pace attack.