Josh can make call on SCG call-up

JOSH Hazlewood has been empowered to decide whether he returns at the SCG – which could force magic man Scott Boland out of the Test team, 10 days after receiving his baggy green from Hazlewood.

Hazlewood bowled off a short run-up for about 35 minutes in the MCG nets on Thursday and is confident the side strain he suffered 26 days before the start of next week’s Test won’t stop him from lighting up his home ground.

The 30-year-old will fly to Sydney on Friday, where he has up to three sessions in the SCG nets to get match fit for Wednesday.

Chairman of selectors George Bailey said Boland’s 6-7 blast to swiftly deliver Ashes glory at the MCG had created “a great headache” as Hazlewood (pictured) and Jhye Richardson (shin) close in on returns.

If Hazlewood returns then Boland’s best chance of keeping his place would be for Ashes leading wicket-taker Mitchell Starc to sit out at the SCG ahead of the day-night Test in Hobart.

Boland had been earmarked for the MCG and SCG Tests as a bowler who can power through long spells, although the shortest MCG Test in 71 years has helped Starc’s bid to play in all five Tests.

Bailey said Starc was in career-best form with 13 of the strike weapon’s 14 wickets coming against England’s top seven batsmen.

Ball-tracking data has revealed that no country has ever bowled as fast or as accurately as Australia in the first three Tests, with 38 per cent of deliveries clocked at more than 140km/h and 41 per cent on a good line and length.

“I’ve got pretty good faith in Hoff (Hazlewood) knowing his own body and trusting his own body,” Bailey said. “He’s earned that trust.”