- ‘I want to play every Test’ – Scott Boland sends strong message to Australian selectors after 4-31 haul in rain-affected Gqeberha Test The 37-year-old pace bowler took four wickets in the rain-disrupted second Test against South Africa, signalling his hunger for regular Test cricket.
- ‘I want to play every Test’ – Scott Boland sends strong message to Australian selectors after 4-31 haul in rain-affected Gqeberha Test.
- (Photo Source: twitter) Scott Boland has made his intentions clear, saying he wants to feature in every Test for Australia despite acknowledging that opportunities could become limited as he gets older.
‘I want to play every Test’ – Scott Boland sends strong message to Australian selectors after 4-31 haul in rain-affected Gqeberha Test The 37-year-old pace bowler took four wickets in the rain-disrupted second Test against South Africa, signalling his hunger for regular Test cricket.
‘I want to play every Test’ – Scott Boland sends strong message to Australian selectors after 4-31 haul in rain-affected Gqeberha Test. (Photo Source: twitter) Scott Boland has made his intentions clear, saying he wants to feature in every Test for Australia despite acknowledging that opportunities could become limited as he gets older. The fast bowler made the most of his selection in the ongoing second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha, claiming four wickets to put Australia in a strong position despite the rain interruons.
Australia entered the match with a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after securing a 214-run victory in Durban. With cloudy conditions and rain expected to affect the game, the visitors opted for Boland ahead of off-spinner Nathan Lyon. However, Josh Hazlewood’s illness on the second day left Australia without another frontline fast bowler during a session that was reduced to just 30 overs.
Boland stepped up in Hazlewood’s absence, finishing the day with figures of 4/31 as South Africa ended at 97/5. His performance further highlighted his ability to make an immediate impact whenever Australia gives him the opportunity. Boland made progress from day one, dismissing Aiden Markram and David Bedingham in successive deliveries.
Both batsmen fell as they attempted to shoot away from their bodies, illustrating the pressure that Boland’s accuracy and movement can create. The fast bowler continued in the same vein on day two, dismissing Marques Ackerman with his seventh delivery of the afternoon. Boland played around the wicket and pulled the batsman into a drive, with wicketkeeper Alex Carey completing the catch.
Mitchell Starc then dismissed Matthew Breetzke, leaving South Africa to bat at 40/4. Ryan Rickelton, who was dropped by Marnus Labuschagne on 26, tried to rebuild the innings alongside Temba Bavuma. However, Boland eventually took advantage of Rickelton with Matt Renshaw catching the slip flat with one hand.
South Africa’s batting coach Ashwell Prince also praised Boland’s consistency and compared him to former Proteas fast bowler Vernon Philander. “Scott reminds me a little of someone like Vernon Philander. He doesn’t miss his place often,” Prince was quoted as saying by Cricket News.
Prince also pointed out that Boland’s height allows him to consistently get the bounce out and keep the ball at the top of the stumps, making it difficult to counter him. Scott Boland admits time may be running out but wants to play every Test. Boland is Australia’s oldest specialist fast bowler to pear in a Test since Ray Lindwall in 1960. Despite making his debut against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the 2021-22 Ashes, he has only played 20 Tests for Australia.
His limited pearances are largely a result of Australia’s strength in fast bowling, with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood often occupying the top spots. Boland was only informed he would be playing on the morning of the ongoing Test. However, he only needed six deliveries to feel comfortable before the game.
He had also bowled around 10 overs during center wicket practice three days earlier, exceeding his planned workload to make up for the lack of match practice. Boland acknowledged his chances could diminish as he gets older, admitting he understands the situation but remains ready to contribute whenever he is selected. “I’m not 25, so I know time is probably a little short,” he said.
He further explained that Australia’s busy Test schedule next year had made him confident that he would get an opportunity to play. “But we had so many tests over the next 12 months that I knew I would have a role somewhere.” Although he admits that it may not be realistic to play every game, Boland has made it clear that he wants to remain available and ready whenever selection turns to him. “I want to play every Test but I probably know it’s not 100% realistic so I just want to be ready whenever I get the chance and then try to get straight back into the game.”
