‘They’ll be playing him like a spinner’ - Michael Vaughan feels England will target Scott Boland during Ashes

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has made a rather startling remark as he stated that the English batters would comfortably target Australia’s Scott Boland in the forthcoming Ashes. Notably, the two arch-rivals will lock horns in a five-match Test series, slated to commence on Friday, June 16.

Ahead of the historic series, the Aussie think tank is yet to decide between Boland and Josh Hazlewood to include in the playing XI for the first Test. While Hazlewood has been a constant presence and a proven performer for the side, Boland has made rapid strides and earned some reputation with the ball lately. 

Boland claimed five wickets in the recently concluded ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 final against India at The Oval in London. Despite that, Vaughan opined that the English batters will play their aggressive style of cricket, named ‘Bazball’, and comfortably target Boland in the series.

“It (Bazball) has worked against most teams they have played. This Australian team are different though. They are a relentless bowling unit. But they’ll try and they’ll come out dancing. Scott Boland’s length, they’ll be playing him like a spinner. They will be,” Vaughan told Fox Cricket.

“They’ll be running down, they’ll be trying to get down outside off-stump, they know where he’s going to land it. They’ll be trying to whip it on the onside,” he added.

Former Australia cricketer Mark Waugh, who was also part of the discussion, tipped Boland to play ahead of Hazlewood in the forthcoming series. He further added that the Aussies may not want to go with 'four tall, right-arm seam' options for the Test and hence backed Boland's inclusion.

“If you said this 12 months ago that Josh Hazlewood would be left out of the team, someone would think you’re mad. But I think it will happen that way. I think Boland has to play, Cummins has obviously got to play and Starc has got to play because he offers you pace through the air and variety,” said Mark.

“You don’t want four tall, right-arm seam bowlers because you’ve got Cameron Green as well. So unfortunately, I think Josh Hazlewood is going to miss out in the first Test," he added.