Rival’s huge Boland call as humble star lifts lid on astonishing Test record
Scott Boland makes no apologies for knocking Nathan Lyon out of Australia’s men’s Test team, and says he would play every match in the baggy green if given the opportunity.
And a rival coach has given the Victorian quick a huge endorsement, likening him to Proteas great Vernon Philander after another stunning display on a rain-effected day two in Gqeberha.
Scott Boland celebrates a wicket on day two in Gqeberha. Getty Images
The 37-year-old added two wickets to his innings ledger to boast figures of 4-31 with five South African wickets still up for grabs. He has twice before taken six wickets in an innings, including 6-7 in the second against England on his Test debut.
Following play on day two of the second match, South African batting coach Ashwell Prince said Boland reminds him of Philander, who took 224 Test wickets at 22.32 while playing alongside fast bowling legend Dale Steyn.
Boland now averages an astonishing 18.08 when bowling for Australia - the 10th best Test average of all time, and the best of in 93 years.
“He reminds me a little bit of someone like Vernon Philander,” Prince told media of Boland.
“Doesn’t miss his spot often, and because of his height… slightly shorter than other guys, his ball is always in and around the top of off-stump. There is always that uncertainty whether it’s going over the stumps and you can leave, or if it’s hitting the top of the stumps.
“He doesn’t leave his spot very often. Very consistent, and hits the seam.
“His record speaks for itself. The only thing that’s stopping him is it’s quite hard for him to get in the line-up consistently.”
Boland would be a walk-up starter in most generations but is stuck behind Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc for spots in this all-star Aussie team.
He has bumped off-spinner Lyon out of the side for this match, much to the angst of some former players including one-time Test tweaker Steve O’Keefe.
Boland, though, makes no apologies for his selection and says he is desperate to add to his 20 matches for Australia before being forced to hang up the whites.
“I can’t speak for Nathan, but I want to play every game I can,” Boland told media after day two.
“I know I’m not 25, so I know time is probably running out a little bit.
“But we’ve got so many Tests over the next 18 months that I knew I was going to play a part somewhere. (I need to) just be ready for whenever I’m needed.
“I want to play every Test but I know that’s not realistic, so I want to be ready for when I get my opportunity and then try to impact the game straight away.”
Boland certainly did impact this match immediately. He bowled a maiden with his first over on day one, and then bowled a double-wicket maiden with his next, narrowly missing out on a hat-trick.
There was talk from travelling journalists last week who suggested Boland was the most in-form bowler during Aussie practice sessions.
Being the humble and softly-spoken person he is, Boland said he felt good during last week’s centre-wicket session but pointed out training form doesn’t always translate to match performance.
But he says his relatively limited workload, given he only plays red-ball cricket without the distraction of T20 or one-day gigs, allows him to stay fresh for when called upon.
Australia’s Scott Boland, second from right, is congratulated by captain Pat Cummins. AP Photo/Themba Hadebe
“I think that’s the beauty of only playing one format, I know where my games are going to be, I can just build up towards that, I don’t have to worry about bowling yorkers or slower balls which put your action a bit out of whack,” he said.
“It keeps my planning really easy. It gives me a clear plan and I can work my build-up into the first Test or second Test, whenever it is.
“My body is feeling really good. I know I’m 37 and the oldest fast bowler to play for a while, but still feel like I’m going really well, body is in a good spot so I feel like I can do it for as long as I can, I guess.
“My game plan is pretty simple, I’m just trying to keep pressure on the batters as much as I can, put repeat balls in a good area and make them make tough decisions.”
Day three of the second Test gets underway on Tuesday evening, with less rain forecast than the previous two days.
