Boland aims to be 'death' specialist

Twelve months ago, Scott Boland wasn't a name hurriedly thrown up at the national selection discussions.

Fast forward twelve months and the 27-year-old has been included in a Test squad, made his T20 and One-Day International debuts and travelled through three different continents as part of the Australian set up.

It's been a fast transition to the national side but his spot is one Boland is committed to cementing, and he knows exactly what he has to do to make sure of it.

"After being around the side and seeing the guys who are permanent members of the squad I know that my bowling can be a bit quicker," Boland told cricket.com.au.

"I also feel I've been a little bit down on pace recently.

"When I'm bowling well I'm bowling 5kph quicker and I'm a lot more consistent than I was two years ago. Hopefully I can get a bit more consistent and my pace is up I can really compete at that level."

Boland is currently on a month-long break after the recent success of the Qantas Tour of the West Indies - where Australia claimed the Ballr Cup - but wasn't part of the final XI that lifted the trophy.

"It was a little bit disappointing [to be left out of the final], I see the way they went, they went with a bit more pace from Coulter-Nile and they wanted spin with Zampa.

"I really want to try and nail down a spot in the side and be someone they can rely on in the death overs to do a really good job, that's what I'm looking forward to doing with the white ball and that really suits my game."

Boland was also disappointed to learn that he'd been left out of the Sri Lanka Test touring party for this month's Warne-Muralidaran series, with selectors again opting for Coulter-Nile in addition to Jackson Bird.

But the fast bowler has relied on close compatriots in the state setup for advice, falling back on Peter Siddle and John Hastings who have dealt with their own selection doubts in recent times, as well as his bowling coach whom he credits with his surge to the national squad.

"I've worked for a few years now with (former Australia quick) Mick Lewis, I think he has been really good for me and he knows my bowling so well, having worked with him so closely I feel like I know my game a lot better now than I did twelve months ago, even six months ago."

"Even while Peter (Siddle) and Hasto (John Hastings) are still looking for a spot in Australia, working with those three guys has made it a lot easier for me.

Boland will be an integral part of the Australia A four-day squad, his next cricketing assignment, joining the likes of Chris Lynn and Jake Lehmann to take on the National Performance Squad, India A and South Africa A.

"I've got Australia A in a month's time and then I'm not sure whether I'll continue with Australia A or get the call for the Sri Lanka tour, hopefully I'll get selected for the limited-overs squad for Sri Lanka and have a few good games there.

"If that isn't the case then I'll look forward to playing with some young guys against South Africa and India in the A Series.

Boland is intent to improve and he knows the potential is there to match it with the world's best at the top level.

"I feel like I haven't bowled my best yet whilst bowling for Australia, I want to keep working on my game while I have some time off and then if I do get a game I can bowl the way I know I can bowl."

"There are so many games for the fast bowlers to impress and it's against some quality opposition, you won't go unnoticed."

Amongst the uncertainties cricket can create, one thing is concrete, Scott Boland's name won't be missing from the next selection round table.