Scott Boland issues England Ashes warning ahead of pink-ball showdown in Brisbane - 'You can't just play one way'
Published 02/12/2025 at 17:01 GMT
React to this story
In a TNT Sports exclusive interview, Australia’s Scott Boland outlined what will be the key to victory in the second Ashes Test. England are looking to bounce back at the Gabba - a venue they have had little success at over the years and Boland warned a one-dimensional approach will not work in the day-night clash with the pink ball, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
'That's the beauty of having an older squad' - Boland says that age gives Aussies an Ashes advantage
Video credit: TNT Sports
Australia fast bowler Scott Boland has warned "you can’t just play one way" ahead of the highly-anticipated second NRMA Insurance men’s Ashes Test in Brisbane.
There will have been 12 days between the first two Tests by the time the Ashes resumes on December 4 – live on TNT Sports and discovery+ – after the hosts wrapped up the opener in double-quick time.
But everything suggests the wait will be worth it. The venue, for one, needs little introduction for both sets of fans.
The Gabba is one of the most formidable venues in cricket and one at which England have not won at since 1986.
It normally plays host for the opening Ashes Test on Australian soil, but the change in tradition could yet work in the home side’s favour after their opening victory in Perth.
It is also going to be a day-night Test played with the pink ball, which throws another spanner into the works.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/23/image-9ed6532a-b83b-4f84-b56d-614cc9d1389a-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'That's what I'd do' - Cook outlines plan for England's batters to rebound in Brisbane
Video credit: TNT Sports
So, what will be required to come out on top in this type of showdown?
"Being able to adjust to the different times of the game," Boland told TNT Sports.
"Sometimes during the day it can be a bit more benign and traditional Test cricket, and then when you get into the night, I don’t know why it is, but it feels like the ball can zip round.
"As soon as the lights come on it feels like a little bit of a different game. We’re just able to adjust and work out a) if we’re batting or bowling what’s happening, and then b) our plans to combat what’s happening with the new ball."
England were criticised for their inability or an unwillingness to adjust to batting conditions in Perth as they succumbed to a rapid eight-wicket defeat that made their task of scoring a rare away triumph all the more difficult.
It is little wonder, then, that Australia start the second Test as the overwhelming favourites to make it 2-0.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/23/image-538582cd-7b01-4586-bdd2-2c92ec31ebf2-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Anderson says England ‘didn’t learn’ from first innings as Rainford-Brent questions preparation
Video credit: TNT Sports
But could the Gabba and everything it is set to bring work in England’s favour and force their hand?
"I think they are going to have to adjust as well," Boland added. "In these games you can’t just play one way the whole time.
"There’s going to be some adjustment periods during the game and I think whoever is the quickest team to adjust and master that adjustment is going to be in a really good position."
Can England resist Starc?
England have made just one change to their starting XI, with off-spinner Will Jacks coming in for the injured Mark Wood.
While it is a slight deviation from the all-out pace attack that was promised, it does strengthen England’s batting line-up after they compiled less than 350 runs across two innings in the Ashes opener.
And that added expertise is likely to be needed against the Aussie attack. While they are still without captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc’s pink-ball prowess cannot be understated.
- Australian media will want to 'cut head off snake' ahead of second Test
- What awaits England in Brisbane? Lowdown on Gabba pitch and Ashes history
With 81 wickets in day-night Tests, he is well clear of his closest challengers: team-mates Cummins and Nathan Lyon, who both boast 43 wickets with the pink ball.
With the weather to be hot and humid, too, the ball is expected to swing more, meaning Brisbane has the potential to be a bowler’s delight.
Starc took 10 wickets in the first Test and will be eyeing another strong haul to help the hosts take another step closer to defending the urn.
Boland admits Australia have been lucky to have a player like Starc in their ranks for so long and praised the 35-year-old’s work ethic and resilience.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/22/image-2c6404be-dc1c-43ae-abc4-15a95ffd08a5-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Highlights: Head inspires Australia to first Test win on Day 2
Video credit: TNT Sports
"For a fast bowler to play as many games as he has and have as many wickets and to bowl [at] the speed he does, there’s not many players at 35 who can bowl at over 140 consistently," he said.
"He’s someone who works so hard on his body and he’s so resilient. If he ever has a niggle he never whinges, he’s just someone who gets on with the job.
"We’re very lucky to have him on our team. He’s played a hundred-and-something Tests and I think we’re going to be lucky to have him for as long as we’re going to get him."
Age an advantage for Aussies?
Starc being 35 might make him an elder statesman in some squads but not in this Australia outfit.
In fact, there are four players in the squad for second Test that are older than the legendary pace bowler, with Cameron Green the only one yet to hit 30.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/11/22/image-d37bff47-2aac-4000-93a1-74d1e37d5231-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Carnage in Perth as Root clean bowled by Starc
Video credit: TNT Sports
There were murmurings in the build-up that this could prove a hindrance, but Boland believes the opposite is true – and although it is still early days, there’s little to suggest age is going to be the thing that thwarts the hosts.
"The beauty of having a bit of an older squad that everyone comes in the team really knowing their game and I think that’s what I was lucky to have," he continued.
"So coming in at 32, I had 80 or 90 first-class games behind me, so I knew what I needed to do and what worked for me.
"And then I knew by watching all the cricket and speaking to Pat [Cummins] and Josh [Hazlewood] and Mitch [Starc] that my good stuff was going to be good enough, so it’s just being able to repeat that in front of big crowds and better batters.
"From a team point of view, we’re a more experienced team than some others, so everyone comes in knowing their game.
"Everyone is really comfortable, and we have our families on tour for a lot of the time. Being on tour is some of the best times we’ll have."
- - -
Watch and stream the 2025/26 Ashes series live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Advertisement
Advertisement