Scott Boland is dealing with “wear and tear” in his knee but the fringe Test quick is expected to bowl for Victoria in the second innings of their Sheffield Shield match.
The 34-year-old left the field on Saturday after being unable to complete his 17th over on day one of the Vics’ clash with South Australia at the Junction Oval.
Boland was cleared of any major damage after undergoing a precautionary scan, which revealed “acute inflammatory signs around his patella tendon”.
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“It’s really just low-grade wear and tear in his knee,” Victoria coach Chris Rogers said on Cricket Australia’s commentary of the Shield match.
“It’s nothing too serious.
“He’ll probably be managed just a little bit with how much he bowls but he’ll be bowling in the second innings.”
Boland has not played for Australia since the third Test of last year’s Ashes, but has remained around the squad during the summer.
Australian selectors are yet to name their Test squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.
Boland, the hero of the 2021 Boxing Day Test, was limited to three Big Bash League games this year and last played for Victoria in the Shield in November.
“He hasn’t bowled that much in games recently … it’s a little issue, but he should be fine,” Boland said.
Former Test batter Nic Maddinson smashed a brilliant century on Sunday in his first Shield match since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in a BBL game on New Year’s Day 2023.
Maddinson struggled for form during his return to cricket in the BBL for the Melbourne Renegades but was back to his best in the longer form of the game.
The left-hander brought up his 16th first-class century after lunch, pushing the Vics past South Australia’s first-innings total of 173.
Sam Harper (34 not out), who suffered a frightening concussion during the BBL while training with the Melbourne Stars, is also flourishing in his comeback match.