“Most knowledgeable coach that I’ve worked with”: Ashes hero full of praise for interim mentor
Australian fast bowler Scott Boland has endorsed Andrew McDonald as one of the smartest coaches he’s played under.
McDonald became Australia’s interim coach after Justin Langer resigned earlier in February and is one of the favourites for the long-term job.
Langer’s exit was player-driven, however Boland had little to play in the decision, only joining the tour midway through the series, just two months before Langer was eventually pushed to resign.
“I’ve only been around for a month, I was probably pretty removed from it,” Boland told SEN Breakfast.
“But it obviously wasn’t good to see how it all played out, but now the team has sort of moved on a bit now and looking forward to working with Andrew McDonald.”
McDonald is likely to remain on as coach until Australia’s tour of Pakistan concludes, his easy-going nature believed to have won the support of the players.
Boland has now joined Aaron Finch in praising McDonald’s approach, who he played under at Victoria for numerous years.
“If he (McDonald) was offered that role and took that role, I think he’d be fantastic,” Boland added.
“He’s probably the most knowledgeable coach that I’ve worked with in terms of his tactics and the way he wants to play the game. “Working with him over a couple of years at Victoria and playing with him in the back end of his career… he’s been a huge help for me and my bowling.”
The 32-year-old received his Baggy Green for the Boxing Day Test, putting in a performance that fans won’t soon forget with six second-innings wickets.
He followed that up with seven poles in Sydney before similarly impressing with four wickets in Hobart, putting himself in Man of the Series contention despite playing just three Tests.
Boland would be well within his rights to be upset he hasn’t been able to achieve more in Test cricket, having been stuck behind the likes of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Starc.
However, the Victorian suggested it was worth the wait. “I played some one-day cricket for Australia probably five years ago, I’m definitely a better bowler now than what I was back then,” he said.
“I’m probably lucky that I’ve had to wait for the opportunity to come up, the things I know now and the experience I’ve had over the last 10 years probably hold me in pretty good stead to take the next step up to Test cricket.”
Boland is no guarantee of a spot in the XI in the upcoming series against Pakistan, with Hazlewood recovering from a side strain to put his hand up for selection.