Former England captain Mike Atherton says the English will be licking their lips at the prospect of Scott Boland replacing Pat Cummins in the first Ashes Test.

With Cummins yet to be given the all clear to resume bowling, it appears there is little chance he will play in the opening Test of the series in Perth next month, and his role in the following Test matches is also in serious doubt as he recovers from a lower back injury.

Boland, who is a more than handy replacement for Cummins with an average of 16.53 over his 16 Tests and an innings best 6-7, would not have the visitors quaking in their boots, Atherton - who never won an Ashes series - believes.

“Boland has a fine record, but holds no fear for a batting line-up that took him for almost five runs an over in the drawn series in 2

See Full Page