Latest news with #selectors
Times of Oman
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Scott Boland in dark about his spot in Australia's playing XI for WTC final
London: Australia's seasoned quick Scott Boland is still in the dark about his potential appearance in the World Test Championship final against South Africa on Tuesday at the Lord's, a venue where he would "love" to play. With match figures of 5/105, the 36-year-old was one of Australia's premier pacers when they lifted their maiden WTC mace at The Oval in 2023 against India. He boosted his credentials against India by scalping 21 wickets in three appearances as Australia celebrated its first Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph in a decade. Despite his exploits, Boland has found himself in a neck-to-neck battle with IPL-winning seamer Josh Hazlewood for one spot in the defending champions' pace setup against the Proteas. With less than a week left for the enticing contest, Boland has yet to receive the green light from the selectors about his spot in the playing XI. "I haven't had any chats with them (selectors). My goal coming into the last two months is just to get myself and my body in the position where I can put my hand up and be ready to go if it (selection) goes my way," Boland said in London on Thursday, as quoted from ICC. "I probably felt like back into the Shield season (Australian domestic red-ball competition), my knee was sort of not wearing away but wasn't going how I wanted it to go and didn't feel like I was bowling how I wanted, but now I feel like I'm in a really good spot that I can bowl how I want to bowl. It's pulling up really well, so that's all I can do, and I just want to make that decision (for selectors) as hard as possible," he added. Boland snuck his first training session with Australia on Wednesday while Hazlewood linked up with the team in London after his title-winning campaign with Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday. The 36-year-old is aware of the carnage that a fully fit Hazlewood can inflict on the opposition. However, he pushed his case by citing his recent stellar performances for Australia in the Test format. "I feel like I had a couple of really strong games (during the Border-Gavaskar series), but Josh is obviously a world-class bowler. He's one of the best bowlers in the world, coming off a really good IPL, so I'm sure he'll be doing the same thing here (to push his case for selection). Obviously, we all want to play, but there's probably not room for all of us," Boland said. If Boland earns a spot in Australia's playing XI, he will make his first appearance at the iconic Lord's. For him, it will be a "pretty special" moment to bowl at the 'Home of Cricket'. "I'd love to play at Lord's. I think everyone's looking forward to getting there for training in a few days' time and then getting to the game, as it's a pretty special place for cricket," he added.
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Glenn Maxwell to focus on T20 cricket after calling time on his one-day international career
Star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has called time on a memorable one-day international career, saying he wanted to avoid playing on for 'selfish reasons'. The 36-year-old big-hitting batsman and off-spin bowler made 149 ODI appearances for Australia, with his 50-over format career including two World Cup triumphs. Maxwell's strike rate of 126 is the second highest in ODI cricket, with his statistics including four hundreds – including his heroic 201 not out from 128 balls against Afghanistan at the 2023 World Cup – 23 half-centuries and 77 wickets. However, it was in field where Maxwell felt his standards were starting to slip, which had led to his ODI retirement. 'I felt like I was letting the team down a little bit with how body was reacting to the conditions,' Maxwell told the Final Word podcast. 'I had a good chat with (chairman of selectors) George Bailey, and I asked him what his thoughts were going forward. 'We talked about the 2027 (ODI) World Cup and I said to him 'I don't think I am going to make that, it's time to start planning for people in my position to have a crack at it and make the position their own'. 'I always said I wasn't going to hand my position over if I felt like I was still good enough to play. I didn't want to just hold on for a couple of series and almost play for selfish reasons. 'They are moving in such a clear direction, so this gives them the best look at what the line-up is leading into that next World Cup. I know how important that planning is.' Bailey said Maxwell still had 'much to offer Australia in the T20 format'. 'All things going well he will be pivotal in the next 12 months as we build toward the (T20) World Cup early next year,' Bailey said. 'His level of natural talent and skill is remarkable. His energy in the field, under-rated ability with the ball and longevity has been superb. 'What else stands out is his passion for and commitment to playing for Australia.' Cricket Australia chief executive officer Todd Greenberg praised Maxwell for 'one of the most exciting and influential one-day international careers in the format's history'. 'As with other greats of the game, crowds have flocked to grounds just to watch Glenn bat and children have been inspired to pick up a bat after seeing him put opposition attacks to the sword with a breathtaking array of shots.' Greenberg said. 'Australian cricket is indebted to Glenn for his ODI exploits. and excited that he will now focus on our quest to win the ICC T20 World Cup next year.'
