After decimating England in the Ashes at the MCG three years ago, Victorian paceman Scott Boland is primed to unleash his brilliant best against India on Boxing Day, Australian captain Pat Cummins declared on Christmas Day.

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Cummins believes Boland, who has taken 40 wickets in 11 Tests at an average of 20, is at the peak of his form leading into a pivotal match in the Border Gavaskar Trophy Series.

For the second time in this series, Boland replaces the injured Josh Hazlewood and demonstrated his effectiveness with a superb performance in Adelaide in the day-night Test as Australia squared the score.

The 35-year-old became a cult hero after taking 6-7 against England on debut at the MCG in 2021, a performance which has led to his phenomenal average at the ground of 13.8.

In a radio interview with SEN after a press conference in Melbourne on Christmas Day, Cummins joked that Boland’s selection “stops riots outside the Members Stand, which is good”.

But the Victorian has performed brilliantly at the MCG in domestic cricket as well and shapes as a match-winning wildcard Australia can unleash as it seeks to reclaim the Border Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade. The score is 1-all leading into the Fourth Test.

“He bowled beautifully in Adelaide. Whenever he gets his chance, he steps in and looks like he’s one of the best bowlers in the world, basically, whenever he plays,” Cummins said at his Christmas Day press conference.

“So we are expecting much to say. And he loves bowling here. He’s obviously played probably more than anyone else here at the MCG in our team, so he’s prepared really well.

“It is pretty awesome that even with an unfortunate injury like Josh has, you can have someone like Scotty come straight in seamlessly.”

Boland will be joined in the Australian team by debutant Sam Konstas, who replaces the axed Nathan McSweeney, in the only changes to the Australian team after the rain-marred draw at the Gabba last week.

Travis Head underwent a fitness test at the MCG on Christmas Day, while Mitch Marsh has bowled and batted in the nets at the MCG in recent days after doubts arose about his fitness.

With the temperature tipped to hit 36C on Boxing Day, Cummins is aware the Australians may require their fifth bowler — nominally Marsh given his all-round status — more than they have in Adelaide and Brisbane, where the Western Australian barely bowled at all.

“It is always nice having an all-rounder,” Cummins said on SEN.

“We always mainly use our four bowlers, but it is nice having someone like Marshy and also Travis Head and a few others who like to chip in.”

Unless anything untoward happens before the toss on Thursday morning, both Head and Marsh will play.

This means reserves including Josh Inglis, Beau Webster and Sean Abbott will need to wait longer in order to earn a “Baggy Green” cap as a Test representative for Australia.

Inglis was released to play in the Big Bash League last weekend for the Perth Scorchers but rejoined the Australian team and was batting in the nets at the MCG on Wednesday.

Although the trio did not receive a surprise Christmas gift, they have described being part of the Australian squad as an invaluable experience with a view to the future.

Webster, who has excelled in domestic cricket this year and was superb in the second innings of an Australia A versus India A match at the MCG in November, has loved the experience and shapes as a candidate to tour Sri Lanka in February.

“It’s definitely exciting. It’s a great group to be a part of. I’ve really enjoyed the last couple of weeks, albeit (being) in and out on a plane to play some BBL cricket,” he said.

“I’m really excited to be back here for the Boxing Day Test and prepare as if I will play. Once the coin goes up, we’ll see what happens there, whether I travel back and play with the Stars or stay here and help the guys out.”

Abbott was circumspect about his addition to the squad, mindful that it was probably better if he was not needed for the Test side given the quality of the nation’s premier pacemen.

“I think if I’m not getting a game, that’s a good thing for the team, because it means we’re full strength. And I think the guys are feeling quite good at the moment,” he said.

“But I’m really enjoying it. I love being around this team, as I have done with the white ball set up for a number of years now. But this is Boxing Day (and) being involved with the Australian Test team is just something else altogether. So I’m just enjoying my time.

“It’s been a little bit hectic, flying in and out, getting BBL games done, (and) having the young one arrive, all that sort of stuff. But it’s been a great time. With the way the group is, it is just a great sort of environment to be around.”