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Boland optimistic on Australia's chances of winning Boxing Day Test

The Australia quick thinks his team is well placed for victory in Melbourne and expects the entire bowling group will need to play a role in achieving this.

By Jonathan Healy at the MCG

Australia fast bowler Scott Boland believes his team are still well placed for victory with two days remaining in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

The Aussies managed to pick up just four India wickets on a rain-affected day at the MCG on Saturday, but still enter the backend of the Test with a lead of 116 and are in the box seat to open up a 2-1 series lead.

Australia's first task when play resumes on Sunday will be to get India's final wicket and it could prove difficult given Indian hero Nitesh Kumar Reddy is still unbeaten on 105 after his maiden Test century on the third day of the crucial ICC World Test Championship contest.

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Quick runs will then be on the agenda for the hosts, ahead of a potential thrilling final day at the MCG that will have major ramifications on which team reaches next year's World Test Championship Final.

"We're leading by 115 (116) runs, so we are in a pretty strong position," Boland said after poor light and some rain saw an early stumps called on Saturday.

"Obviously it could have been better, but I think that's how Test match cricket ebbs and flows.

"Hopefully tomorrow morning we get that first wicket and then put on a really nice lead and see how the game plays after that."

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Boland has managed three wickets for Australia in India's first innings, with the burly right-armer arguably the pick of the home side's bowlers so far alongside skipper Pat Cummins (3/86) and spinner Nathan Lyon (2/88).

In the past Lyon has been Australia's major weapon on the final day of a Test when quick wickets are required, but Boland has played at the MCG more than anyone else in the Australian side and is expecting the Melbourne pitch to play slightly different.

"I'm not too sure if it's going to spin too much more," Boland suggested.

"There's a decent amount of grass on there (the pitch), so I'm definitely hoping it spins a lot more.

"Hopefully there'll be some variable bounce as Test match wickets get a bit more tired and that would be ideal for us as a bowling group."

ICC World Test ChampionshipICC World Test Championship 23-25NewsScott Boland 04/11/1989