Scott Boland Reveals The England Star Australia Must Silence In The Ashes

Scott Boland Reveals The England Star Australia Must Silence In The Ashes

The Ashes are here again, and Australia’s Scott Boland has wasted no time pointing out exactly who the real danger man is in England’s lineup — Joe Root. Targeting key players is an old Aussie tradition, from Glenn McGrath’s famous pre-series predictions to Michael Clarke’s instructions to shut down Alastair Cook in 2013–14.

Now, Boland is keeping the tradition alive.

Speaking ahead of the first Test in Perth, the fast bowler was blunt:
If Australia want control, they need to keep Joe Root quiet.

Root has never scored a Test hundred in Australia, but that hasn’t stopped the local media — or Boland — from treating him as England’s heartbeat.

why root is the man australia want to stop

Boland has dismissed Root four times in previous Ashes battles and knows firsthand how influential the former England captain can be. He explained that England’s middle order thrives when Root settles in, and Australia’s goal is to prevent that.

“You always want to take down the best players,” Boland said. “Hopefully we can keep Joe Root and the guys in the middle-order pretty quiet.”

boland’s incredible home ashes record

The 36-year-old seamer is one of the most efficient bowlers in modern Test cricket. During his 2021–22 Ashes debut, he shocked the world with an extraordinary 6-7 spell at the MCG — a moment that instantly made him a cult hero.

His career numbers remain unbelievable:

• 62 wickets in 14 Tests

• Average: 16.53
  Only two bowlers in history have taken as many Test wickets at a better average — and they played in the 1800s.

The only blemish? The 2023 Ashes in England, where Bazball caused him real problems. He managed just two wickets for 231 runs.

But Boland insists he has learned from that experience:
“I’ve reflected on that tour a fair bit… I just need to execute a bit better.”

opportunity knocks as australia reshuffle their attack

Injuries to Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood mean Boland is no longer on the sidelines — he’s in the XI for the first Test. He will likely partner with Mitchell Starc and 31-year-old debutant Brendan Doggett.

For Boland, it’s a chance to prove himself again at home, on a surface expected to suit fast bowling.

“It’s going to be an exciting time. A new guy or two will get a look in… Brendan knows his game really well,” Boland said.

australia confident conditions will slow down england’s aggressive approach

England’s explosive batting style will face a new challenge in Australia: massive boundary sizes.

At grounds like Perth Stadium, the MCG, and the Gabba, shots that clear ropes in England suddenly need an extra 20 metres of power.

Boland expects that to work heavily in Australia’s favour:
“Balls that would go over the fence in England have a longer way to go here.”

And the same applies to England’s bowlers — short balls need more muscle to reach the boundary.

the stage is set

With Joe Root under the spotlight, Boland back in the attack, and Australia determined to strike early in the series, this Ashes opener is shaping up to be explosive.

Boland’s message is clear:
Slow down Root, and you slow down England.