Australia's selection boss George Bailey has revealed incumbent fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is "recovering really well" as he looks to prove his fitness ahead of next week's Boxing Day Test.
Hazlewood's potential return spells a dilemma for Bailey and co, with his replacement Scott Boland continuing to stake his claim as one of Australia's best with the ball in hand.
Boland was again pivotal for Andrew McDonald's side, collecting four wickets at an average of 10.5 in last week's win over South Africa at the Gabba.
With Hazelwood's nearly-full recuperation from a side strain that saw him miss the Brisbane Test, the reliable paceman is set to be in the selection mix for the second Test of the series.
Bailey revealed on Monday that Boland's form since his debut last December, which included a spell of 6/7 at the MCG, has him well-placed to hold a spot in McDonald's XI, however Hazlewood is also firming as an available option for sectors to ponder.
"He was on the radar for the MCG last year because of exactly what we've seen him do โ he bashes a length, and his ability to take multiple wickets in the same over speaks to how consistent he is and the questions he asks of the batter right from ball one," Bailey said of Boland.
"He's going fantastically (but) Josh is recovering really well.
"He had another really good hit out (on Sunday) and is close to 90 per cent I reckon.
"He'll keep building and clearly we've got a decision to make, but it's a good problem to have."
Australia aren't expected to make any other changes to their XI for the Boxing Day Test, however questions have been raised over David Warner's place atop the batting order.
Warner again struggled to remain at the crease in Brisbane, making a golden duck in the first innings before being dismissed for three runs when the host nation required just the 34 runs for victory.
Fringe batsmen Marcus Harris, Matt Renshaw and potential debutant Henry Hunt are in line to replace the veteran big-hitter should he be omitted from the XI.
"I still think David is preparing as well as he can and he's looking fantastic in the nets," Bailey said of Warner.
"I personally think there's runs around the corner for him.
"He's moving well, he's catching well.
"When people start to 'go' (towards the end of their careers), for want of a better way to put it, the catching goes, the movement goes but he's still an outstanding fielder, and still fit as a fiddle.
"No doubt David would be the first to say he'd like a few more runs and to be contributing a bit more knowing the importance of that role at the top of the order.
"But (we have) full confidence that will come."
The Boxing Day Test will commence next Monday, December 26 at 10:30AM AEDT.
