In the interim, Boland continues to stake a claim that is bordering on undeniable.
After Hazlewood, the worldโs No.4-ranked Test bowler, broke down in Brisbane, Boland was rushed in, with the series against India one-all and in the balance.
In typically understated fashion, he proceeded to tip the ledger in favour of Australia, who duly reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 3-1 triumph.
Bolandโs numbers against India speak for themselves: 2-54 and 3-51 in Adelaide, 3-57 and 3-39 in Melbourne and 4-31 and 6-45 in a man-of-the-match performance in Sydney. Thatโs 21 wickets in three Tests at a Bumrah-esque average of 13.19.
The 36-year-oldโs overall Test record stands at 56 wickets from 13 Tests, costing just 17.66 runs apiece.
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In most teams, Boland would be a walk-up starter, yet Australiaโs selectors had no qualms about sidelining him during the recent tour of Sri Lanka in favour of a bowling attack that featured three specialist spinners.
While that policy was rewarded with a 2-0 series victory, Australia will almost certainly revert to a traditional line-up at Lordโs featuring three quicks, the spin of Nathan Lyon and the supporting medium-pace of either Beau Webster or Cameron Green, pending fitness.
Skipper Pat Cummins and left-armer Mitchell Starc are presumably the first two pacemen on the team sheet, which leaves Hazlewood and Boland vying for the remaining vacancy.
Boland canโt do much more than what heโs been doing.
After returning from Sri Lanka, he quickly settled back into his robotic groove, claiming a 10-wicket haul (4-56 and 6-46) for Victoria in their Shield loss to NSW at the SCG this week.
That left the Victorians fourth on the Shield table, with games remaining against South Australia and Western Australia.
More wickets in those games, and potentially the final, might be enough to seal Bolandโs spot for the World Test Championship decider.
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