Brett Lee makes telling call on Josh Hazlewood recall in brutal snub of Aussie cricket hero

Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee believes if Josh Hazlewood is fit he should return to the side even if it means the in-form Scott Boland misses out. Despite taking five wickets in his first Test in almost 18 months, popular Aussie quick Boland is again likely to find himself on the outer.

Boland was the easiest of inclusions for the day-night Test against India at the Adelaide Oval after Hazlewood was ruled out due to a side strain suffered in the Border-Gavaskar series opener. And the 35-year-old didn't let Australia down, taking match figures of 5-105 in the 10-wicket demolition that finished before the end of the first session on day three.

But Hazlewood's absence was more precautionary given his lengthy injury history over the past four years and he is expected to be fit for the third Test at the Gabba, starting on Saturday. Australian medical staff and selectors will examine Hazlewood on Wednesday and he will then bowl alongside the other quicks at Australia's main training session on Thursday before a final decision is made on his availability. But if he is cleared, Lee says he must return even if it means Boland misses out.

“Look it’s a tough one but you’d have to go back on form and what Josh Hazlewood has done,” Lee said on Fox Cricket. “For me personally, Josh Hazlewood slips straight back in. If he’s fully fit he gets the new ball or at least is definitely back in the team.”

Lee went on to draw similarities between Boland and the career of Stuart MacGill, who took 200 Test wickets - despite being a back-up to the late, great Shane Warne. The former Australian quick believes if Boland was born in another generation he would be one of the first names picked. “It’s unfortunate for Scott Boland because when he’s had his opportunity he’s nailed it,” Lee said.

“I look at Scott Boland and I probably think he’s a bit like MacGill playing in the Warne era. “MacGill took 200 Test wickets bowling when Shane Warne was either injured or out for other reasons. So he was a quality, quality bowler.

"Boland could be in any team around the world. Any playing nation. But unfortunately, when you’ve got Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood, they’re still doing the business and they’re in his way at the moment. It’s nothing against Boland because he’s bowled the house down."

Can Scott Boland be left out of MCG Test?

Even if Hazlewood gets his spot in the Test side straight back, Boland may get the nod over him for the fourth Test at the MCG. The Melbourne ground is Boland's stomping ground and is known as a Melbourne track specialist.

This season, all Shield matches played on the MCG have favoured fast bowlers and there is no reason to think the fourth Test won’t also be heavily favoured to quicks. And while Lee says there is a lot to happen before the Melbourne match, Boland’s record at the MCG cannot be easily discarded, even if the big three are all fit.

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“Conditions favour him. He knows the wicket. It’s like Travis Head. He has three hundreds at Adelaide Oval. Home conditions count for a lot,” Lee said. “You’ve got the crowd behind you. Don’t underestimate how much that helps as a fast bowler as well, plus you know the conditions.

“A side strain is not something you want to hurt again. If you hurt that, that could put you out for a whole season. I’m not sure if they’ll risk (Hazlewood) at 1-1 going to Brisbane. But if he’s fully fit I’d be picking Hazlewood.”