Australia look for Scott Boland answers after he was targeted in first Ashes Test

Australia are searching for a way to help Scott Boland better contend with England’s aggressive batting, as coaches weigh up their attack for the second Test at Lord’s.

The players have been given three days off following their enthralling two-wicket win at Edgbaston, after back-to-back Tests against India and England.

But planning has already begun for how Australia can better counteract England’s fearless batting in the second match of the series, starting next Wednesday.

Coach Andrew McDonald was surprised by how hard the English batters went after Boland, who conceded runs at a rate of 5.65 an over.

After claiming before the series they would treat Boland like a spinner, England’s plans for the economical Victorian worked, throwing him off his usual rhythm and lengths.

It’s a challenge Boland has rarely had to contend with in his career, with batters usually taking the patient route against him.

Boland’s two innings at Birmingham was the first time he has been hit for more than five an over in international or domestic cricket since 2015.

“We’d seen the way they go about it, they are ultra-aggressive,” McDonald said.

“But Scott Boland, that match-up probably surprised us how aggressive they were against Scott. So that’s something we can look at and find better ways through.”

McDonald’s comments come as Australia consider whether to bring Mitchell Starc back for Lord’s.

Starc has been given clearance to support his wife, Alyssa Healy, as she captains Australia in a Test for the first time when the Women’s Ashes opener starts on Thursday at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

But he will be eager to press his case for selection once he returns to London over the weekend.

Starc has been picked for only one of Australia’s last