Gqeberha: Scott Boland admits he is racing against advancing years to make as big a mark as possible on Test cricket.
But the evidence suggests that Australia’s oldest fast bowler since Ray Lindwall in 1960 is actually improving with each opportunity, however sporadic, to the point that South Africa offered him the highest possible praise here.
In his first Test for Australia since January, 37-year-old Boland (4-31) has been the major reason why South Africa are again in a world of trouble at 5-97, clinging to hope that captain Temba Bavuma (41 not out) can make something of their wobbly first innings before the recalled Kagiso Rabada lets rip on a drying pitch.
Matt Renshaw’s stunning catch in the final half hour of play, which extended to 30.4 overs despite only beginning at 3.45pm on Monday local time (12.45am Tuesday AEDT), made the day Boland and Australia’s, after which the Indigenous paceman spoke frankly about how he had worked to try to ensure he could hit the ground sprinting whenever the selectors included him.
Australia were doubly grateful for Boland on a day when Josh Hazlewood was absent from the ground with a stomach ailment.
“I can’t speak for Nathan, but I want to play every game I can,” Boland said after tipping out Nathan Lyon to play. “I know I’m not 25, so I know that time’s probably running out a little bit. But we’ve got so many Tests over the next 12 months that I knew I was going to play a part somewhere.
“I want to play every Test, but I probably know that’s not 100 per cent realistic. I want to be ready for whenever I get my opportunity, and impact the game straight away.
“When I got here, I probably still didn’t think I was going to play until I thought maybe I was a chance the day before, and then obviously didn’t hear anything until [day one]. But pumped to be back in the team.”
To that end, Boland said he had worked on carrying a more confident mindset into matches. It should be remembered that his memorable 6-7 on debut against England came after he had bowled more plainly in the first innings. Since he was challenged by Bazball in England in 2023, Boland’s record in his second 10 Tests has improved upon that of his first 10, an astounding achievement in his late 30s.
“It’s more a mindset just believing that I can, when I come into a series, if it’s not the first game, or if I haven’t played for a while, that I’ll find my line and length pretty quickly,” he said. “I probably doubted myself if I haven’t played cricket for a while, that I was like, ‘oh, maybe it might take me a couple of spells’, or ‘something doesn’t feel right’, or whatever it is.
“But I think having such good training conditions here, where we get in centre wickets, and obviously bowling to some of the best batters in the world, it makes you sharpen up pretty quick. And then also leaning on guys like Pat and Josh and Ronnie [McDonald] and James Franklin’s our bowling coach, so they give me a lot of belief that I can sort of impact the game straight away.”
Coming to the town formerly known as Port Elizabeth, Boland had figured that Australia would not change their team from Durban. But a sublime centre wicket bowling session combined with a grassy pitch and rain-soaked forecast allowed him to squeeze into the side.
Proteas batting coach Ashwell Prince made the complimentary comparison of Boland with Vernon Philander, an outstanding performer for South Africa, and noted that his main challenge seemed to be getting picked.
“His balls are always in and around the top of off stump. Against taller guys you can leave a lot more balls on length,” Prince said.
“But because he’s hitting the top of the stumps, there’s always that uncertainty whether it’s going over the top ... which means it drags you into playing at more balls. You might want to leave a few more.
“He doesn’t leave his spot very often, so very consistent and hits the seam. His record speaks for itself. I think the only thing that’s stopping him is that it’s quite hard for him to get in the lineup consistently.”
Boland agreed that a surface with somewhat lower bounce gave him the chance to ask more questions by targeting the stumps.
Debutant Marques Ackerman leaned forward to drive Boland’s sixth ball of the day, only to edge to Alex Carey. After Matthew Breetzke had edged Mitchell Starc wretchedly behind, Ryan Rickelton touched a Boland away seamer that should also have been a Carey catch.
Boland admitted his heart skipped a beat before Renshaw dived to claim the chance an inch or two above the ground, a couple of overs after Marnus Labuschagne had been hit in the chest by a chance that will go, perhaps a little unfairly, as Australia’s first dropped catch of the series.
“I thought it was gone for four, but then … unbelievable catch. It just stuck right in the middle of his mitt,” Boland said.
How much longer can the Boland show continue? There is determination to carry on for another couple of years at least, aided by the simplicity of being a one format international cricketer, and the knowledge that many spectators, Australian or otherwise, are willing him on.
“I think that’s the beauty of only playing one format,” he said. “I know where my games are going to be. I don’t have to worry too much about bowling Yorkers or slower balls or things that put your action a bit out of whack.
“I know I’m 37 and the oldest fast bowler to play for a while, but I still feel like I’m going really well, and my body’s in a good spot. I feel like I can do it for as long as I can.”
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