His record speaks for itself: Cummins on Boland's Boxing Day debut

The right-armer becomes the second debutant in the series after Neser was handed a cap in Adelaide. © Getty
Scott Boland will make his Test debut at the MCG, returning captain Pat Cummins confirmed on the eve of the Boxing Day Test. Boland will be just the fourth Indigenous person to don the Baggy Green. As a result of both coming in, Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser will miss out. Boland's record at the MCG is part reason for his selection. His record of 91 wickets at 25.71 in 26 first-class games at the venue has stood out.

Australia XI: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
"We earmarked him as a chance for here and the SCG in particular, we think his record is really well suited," said Cummins on Saturday (December 25). "His record speaks for itself here in domestic cricket. Home ground, having someone fresh like him who can perform straightaway were the big factors. He's really excited obviously - it's a dream for him to wear the Baggy Green, packed MCG on Boxing Day, it doesn't get any better."

Boland will be the second debutant in the series after Neser was handed a debut in Adelaide. He was also the sixth pacer to play for Australia in the Ashes so far. "We knew, even with James Pattinson retiring (before the Test summer started), that we had six or seven guys who could step in and do a really good job," said Cummins.

"Although 'Ness' (Neser) debuted last game, Jhye was in after a few years, Scotty's debuting this game, we felt really confident with how much domestic cricket they've played and how they've performed that they could come in here and be Test-ready straightaway.

"There was a bit of that worry (over inexperience) going into Adelaide but we saw how well Jhye and Ness bowled and gelled, and how well Starcy led the attack, so I think any of those worries are past us."

Richardson had starred in the second innings in Adelaide with a maiden Test five-wicket haul on his Test return after nearly three years, but he was rested as he navigates a minor leg injury.

"He was pretty sore," Cummins said on Saturday (December 25). "We were umming and ahhing - he had a bowl yesterday but we thought seven days off (before the fourth Test in Sydney) will give him enough rest. He's got a small leg injury which is nothing major but we thought rather than risking a long-term injury, we'd give him a week off."

Josh Hazlewood continues to remain unavailable with a side injury. Australia took a 2-0 lead in the five-match series after a 275-run win in Adelaide.