"My skills are getting better…"- Scott Boland issues warning to England ahead of The Ashes 2025-26

Scott Boland said that his skills are getting better even though he’s getting older.

Veteran Australian pacer Scott Boland has issued a strong warning to England ahead of the forthcoming The Ashes 2025-26 later this year. The right-arm seamer said that his skills are getting better with age, even though he is in the last phase of his career.

Australia will host England in five test matches during The Ashes 2025-26, starting November 21. Scott Boland failed to deliver an impressive performance in the previous Ashes in 2023. The 36-year-old played two matches during the series and took two wickets. The five-match series in England ended in a 2-2 draw.

However, Boland impressed with his bowling show during the previous test series against the West Indies last month. Playing in the third and final test of the series, the right-arm pacer captured a six-wicket haul in the encounter, including a hat-trick.

Even though I’m getting older, I still think my skills are getting better: Scott Boland

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Boland said that his skills are getting better with age. He also feels that he is a better bowler now than he was during The Ashes 2023.

“Even though I’m getting older, I still think my skills are getting better. Even though I’m in the twilight of my career, I’m still learning about what’s helping me and what’s getting me able to perform at 100 per cent,” he said.

“I’ve thought about (the 2023 Ashes) a lot since it happened. I still think there were times in England when I bowled pretty well, I just didn’t get a wicket. I’m a better bowler than I was back then and (upcoming Ashes) is going to be in conditions I know really well,” he added.

Notably, Australia played four seamers in the final test against the West Indies as Boland replaced spinner Nathan Lyon in the playing XI. However, the veteran pacer feels that that won’t be the case in Ashes 2025-26. He also mentioned that Cameron Green’s return might hamper his chances in the pace department.

“I hope so [of playing in a four pacer attack again] – but probably not in Australia. Nathan’s one of the best spin bowlers in the world, he can bowl in any conditions. He’s been the glue to our bowling line-up over the last few years”, he said.

“Then you’ll probably see Greeny (Cameron Green) coming back (from back surgery) and bowling, so that probably hurts the chances of four quicks as well,” he further said.

Meanwhile, the trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood will lead Australia’s pace attack against England in The Ashes. However, since the series will witness five encounters, Boland might get opportunities in case of any injuries or niggles to other pacers.

The first test of The Ashes 2025-26 will begin on November 21 in Perth. The fifth test will be played from January 4 to 8, 2026, in Sydney.

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