Australia vs South Africa: Is Scott Boland about to be dropped from Australia's Test lineup before Boxing Day Match?

It was similar to Australia's summer of 2021 when Usman Khawaja came in for Travis Head when the latter had COVID-19. 

Khawaja performed so well, getting twin tons, that the Aussie selectors eventually chose to drop Marcus Harris, who had ironically top-scored in a Test at Melbourne, and accommodate both Khawaja and Head. 

"It's a good problem to have. I can't state it any other way," national selector George Bailey said. "Couldn't ask for anything more…and effectively, Uzzie was in the same position last summer. 

"Travis gets the nod in the first Test. Uzzie waits to get his opportunity and grabs it. And that's an essential part of what this team is at the moment: when that opportunity is there, you hold it, you come in, and there's a prominent role you can perform. 

"Barrell [Boland] is doing it, he's been fantastic. Hoff [Hazlewood] has obviously done it for a very, very long time as well."

There's only one issue regarding the whole conundrum of Hazlewood and Boland – there is no other obvious candidate to be dropped. 

Mitchell Starc was in the form of his life in the previous Test and, given his ability to run through tails is second to none, will always play when fit and not being rested. 

Pat Cummins was also at his lethal best at The Gabba and is the Test and ODI skipper, meaning he isn't being dropped unless he has to be. 

So does that mean Boland gets dropped? Not really, as many prominent voices are advocating for his retention – including Simon Katich. 

"I think he does (start ahead of Hazlewood). I think he's one of the first picked because he builds pressure," said Katich on the SEN Breakfast show.

"Even when he didn't take wickets in the first innings at Adelaide, he was still building pressure at one end and the other bowlers were reaping the rewards." 

There's also the fact that Boland, a local lad from Melbourne, the venue of the next Test, has a fantastic record at the ground in Test cricket. 

He became a cult hero due to his exploits on debut against England when he notched up an impressive 6-7.

He also averages 24.35 at the ground in first-class cricket and is seen as someone who knows how to extract the most out of the MCG wicket. 

So will he be dropped? Probably not. It might seem like a harsh call to keep Hazlewood out of the side, given he is easily one of the best Test bowlers in the world. 

But Australia have a good thing going with Boland – and it makes no sense to end his run in the team prematurely.