Ashes 2025-26: ‘I’m good enough to compete with anyone’ – Boland reflects on costly first innings in Perth Test | CricTracker

Scott Boland was taken apart by the England batters on the opening day of the Ashes Test in Perth, conceding more than six runs an over. At the other end, however, Mitchell Starc dismantled the visitors with a seven-wicket haul in the first innings, despite Australia missing the services of Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.

Boland’s expensive spell sparked debate over whether he had been outplayed by England’s aggressive approach. But the right-arm seamer delivered a strong response on the second day, producing a brilliant three-wicket burst. He removed Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, and Ollie Pope in the space of just 11 balls, swinging the momentum firmly back in Australia’s favour.

“It probably just proves to me that my good stuff, it doesn’t matter who it’s to, I think it feels like when I’m getting in the right areas it’s good enough to anyone. I think that gives me a little bit of confidence that if I’m nailing my game… I’m good enough to compete with anyone,” said Boland ahead of the second Test at the Gabba as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Boland overpitched too frequently in the first innings but corrected both his line and length in the second, keeping the ball wider and away from the batters’ bodies. After the match, head coach Andrew McDonald acknowledged that the team’s initial plans were partly responsible for the tactics Boland employed with the new ball on the opening day.

“I think Ronnie’s pretty nice to me there. I just had one of those days where I just felt like I was over-pitching too much. Obviously, I wanted to start a little bit fuller than normal with the new ball, but I probably bowled seven or eight half-volleys and they all went for four. Some days half of them don’t and you think it’s [going] a little bit better,” said Boland.

“I was pretty happy with how I bounced back in the second innings. I sort of went back to my natural length. Stuff that I know I’m really good at. I was obviously really disappointed with how I bowled in the first innings because generally I don’t bowl too many half-volleys,” he added.

With the Gabba pitch expected to offer good pace and carry, though perhaps not quite at the level of Perth Stadium, Boland anticipates similar tactics will be in play. The 36-year-old, who averages an impressive 13.16 from four day-night Tests, also believes the short ball will remain a key weapon, especially with England unlikely to shy away from a challenge despite the larger boundaries at most Australian venues.

However, Boland pointed out that England’s lower order showed resistance in the second innings, with Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse adding a rapid 50 runs off just 36 balls when Australia’s quicks resorted to banging the ball in.

“Definitely the ground size plays a big part in that. Perth Stadium is really wide, with really big pockets. And the ground is quite similar here. Same as the MCG and SCG. Adelaide’s probably the only one that’s a little bit different. I think that worked in our favour,” said Boland.

“They [England] tried some bouncer plans which worked well at different times. I think sometimes when you do go to that bouncer plan, you can leak runs pretty quickly. I think we had them 6 for 80 [88] and then we sort of went into some full-on bouncer plans and leaked [runs] a little bit [but] we got some wickets. First innings, it worked really quick and then second things, they played a little bit better. So I think we’ll just be adjusting on the fly,” he added.

There has been some intrigue this week over whether Cummins could make a late entry into the Brisbane Test as he ramps up his return to bowling, despite not being named in the squad. However, a comeback in Adelaide remains the more likely scenario.

“He looked in red-hot form the other night, as good as you’ll see [from] a fast bowler charging in in the nets,” Boland said.

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