AS Australian cricket ponders the baffling selection of Ashton Agar in the Sydney Test squad, legspinner Cameron Boyce has been labelled a Test star of the future.
Queenslander Boyce, 25, will be aiming to repeat his finals-clinching exploits for the Hobart Hurricanes last season when he took 3-21 against the Brisbane Heat.
But there is a strong argument he should be in Sydney with the Australian Test side rather than in windy Hobart.
Australia settled on Agar as a second spinner for the SCG Test despite the WA youngster averaging 45 with the ball in Sheffield Shield cricket this season, including 0-105 off 11 overs in his last Shield match.
Boyce has had an impressive Shield season with eight wickets in three games for Queensland at a bowling average 10 runs below Agar’s.
The Charleville-born leggie has taken his game to new levels and has become a wicket-taking weapon on a Gabba pitch which traditionally suits the quicks.
Queensland and Brisbane Heat coach Stuart Law hopes Boyce will misfire for Hobart but has no doubt the aggressive young leggie is a future Test spinner.
Boyce has already played four T20 matches for Australia and the cricket world is at his feet.
“I definitely see him as an Australian Test player,’’ Law said in Hobart.
“If they are looking for a wrist spinner, he is the form spinner of last season and this season so far.
“He is bowling beautifully and has improved out of sight in the last 12 to 18 months.
“His control is excellent and he knows how to contain batsmen and how to get them out. He has plenty of wicket-taking deliveries.
“He just needs to keep going and continue to build his reputation.’’
But at Hobart’s Blundstone Arena, all friendships and sentiments will be put to one side.
“Boycey got one over the Brisbane Heat last year so it would be nice to get one back on him,’’ Law said.
“He will want to get at us and we want to get at him as well.’’
The Big Bash match and Sunday’s Gabba clash against the Adelaide Strikers could be defining moments in the Heat’s season. They currently have won one from two games but their run-rate is poor and they must start moving up the ladder.
Coach Law said the Heat improved in their one-run win over the Melbourne Stars but were also lucky to get away with the points after almost botching it with their bowling in the last few madcap overs.
“What we need to do better is execute under pressure, especially in the bowling side of things,’’ Law said.
“We need to bowl the deliveries we are trying to bowl much better under pressure.
“Once we start doing that, it will be easier to kill a game off.’’
Batsman Peter Forrest has recovered from a hamstring strain and replaces fast bowler Mark Steketee in the Heat squad for Friday’s match.
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