Scott Boland’s debut for Durham has been marred by a resurfacing heel injury, casting doubt over his availability for the county’s upcoming fixtures. The Australian fast bowler, who is on a short-term contract with Durham, bowled 13 wicketless overs in the first innings of their draw against Warwickshire but did not take the field after the first day.
Boland’s injury has been identified as plantar fasciitis, a common heel condition among fast bowlers. It is the same issue that delayed his arrival in England and caused him to miss Durham’s first game. The club is awaiting further clarity on his fitness and is exploring potential replacements if he is ruled out for an extended period.
Boland’s contract with Durham runs until the end of July and covers both the County Championship and the T20 Blast. However, as a centrally contracted player with Cricket Australia (CA), his workload will be closely monitored. CA’s medical staff will collaborate with Durham on Boland’s recovery, aiming to maximize his playing time while managing his fitness.
Boland’s injury highlights the ongoing challenges faced by CA in managing the workload of its centrally contracted bowlers. Despite not playing a Test since last year’s Ashes, Boland was rested at the start of the Sheffield Shield season in anticipation of rest periods for Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc during Australia’s international commitments. However, the trio played all seven Shield matches, leaving Boland with a relatively quiet summer.
CA’s approach to managing its bowlers has also been evident in the cases of Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Lyon. Bartlett was withdrawn from a stint with Kent just before the start of the Championship, while Lyon’s initial agreement to play a full season with Lancashire was reduced to seven red-ball matches following discussions with Australia’s selectors.
Meanwhile, Ben Stokes spent two days with the Durham squad during their draw at Edgbaston, continuing his recovery from knee surgery. The England all-rounder is gradually increasing his bowling workload as he aims to return to full fitness.
