Boyce, Holland to battle for spin spot

MELBOURNE Renegades recruit Cameron Boyce is backing himself to beat out Australian Test spinner Jon Holland for a spot in his new club’s BBL line-up.

The leggie signed with the Renegades for two seasons after a successful five-season stint with the Hobart Hurricanes.

But with the Renegades likely to opt for just one specialist tweaker, the competition is on between Boyce and Holland.

“(He’s) obviously a really good bowler coming off a Test series so he’s bowling really well but that competition is always healthy for any team,” Boyce said yesterday.

“I’m sure whoever is bowling best will get the nod but we might both be playing as well. My role has always been pretty clear — I’m here to take wickets.”

Boyce joined his new teammates for a warm-up match against the Melbourne Stars at Junction Oval yesterday. He pushed his claims for inclusion in the ’Gades season opener against the Perth Scorchers at Marvel Stadium with 2-21 from four overs.

The fact he bowled new Stars captain Glenn Maxwell, who top scored with 30, didn’t hurt his cause either.

Holland showed he won’t be giving up without a fight, with 2-17 from three overs.

Boyce left the Hurricanes as one of the franchise’s most prolific bowlers, his 49 wickets placing him sixth on the BBL’s all-time leading wicket-takers list. The 29-year-old made seven T20 appearances for Australia between 2014 and 2016 but is without a state contract and playing grade cricket in his native Queensland.

“The thought is always in the back of your mind,” he said when asked if he still had international ambitions. “First and foremost you’ve got to be playing good cricket. Previously I’ve taken a lot of wickets and been having a good time so that’s what I’ll be trying to do again. You never know … if I take a lot of wickets then I’d love to play for Australia again.”

With both sides missing key players, the Renegades were bowled out for 115 chasing a target of 131 in yesterday’s practice match.