With Australia likely to opt for three pacers and one spinner for the summit clash, Boland's participation remains in doubt despite showing impeccable performance in the series against India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt will be a very tough choice, but if Hazelwood is fit, then he gets the nod ahead of Boland,\u201c Shastri told The ICC Review.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Hazlewood missed three of the five Tests in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India, as well as Australia's tour of Sri Lanka and the ICC Men\u2019s Champions Trophy 2025 earlier this year, due to recurring calf injuries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, the 34-year-old has made a comeback in competitive cricket through the Indian Premier League, where he has shown promising form for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, claiming 12 wickets in his first eight matches.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Although Ravi Shastri has long been an admirer of Boland, the former India coach believes that the conditions at Lord\u2019s may better complement Hazlewood\u2019s precision and consistent line and length.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIf Hazlewood is fit to do that, he will definitely get the nod for two reasons. One, the English conditions, two, Lord\u2019s with the slope. And the reason I say Lord\u2019s slope is Hazlewood is most likened to Glenn McGrath,\" the former India all-rounder said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cAnd you've got to just check Glenn McGrath's record at Lord\u2019s, with the slope around and bowling from the Commentary Box end.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shastri drew a comparison between Hazlewood and legendary Glenn McGrath, who took 26 wickets in three Test matches at Lord\u2019s, with a best effort of 8-38 in the second Test of Australia\u2019s Tour of England and Scotland in 1997.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe (McGrath) could be lethal with the ball either seaming back or going away and from either end, to be honest and I think Hazlewood can do something similar with his height,\u201d Shastri said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe pitches aren't as quick as in Australia. So you need that extra bit of height and bounce, which he will get as opposed to Scott Boland, though I'm a big fan of Scott Boland.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Boland boasts an outstanding record in Australian colours and was a key figure in the 2023 World Test Championship Final against India, where he took five wickets across both innings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His standout performance came in the second innings, delivering a superb spell of 3-46, claiming the crucial scalps of Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He also played a role in Australia\u2019s home series victory over India in 2024\/25, which secured their place in a second consecutive World Test Championship final. Shastri hinted that the Australians might consider fielding an all-pace attack against South Africa.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
His standout performance came in the second innings, delivering a superb spell of 3-46, claiming the crucial scalps of Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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