'I want to play every Test': Scott Boland sends out message to Australian selectors after scalping 4 wickets in rain-affected 2nd match vs South Africa originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Australian seamer Scott Boland took 4 for 31 on a rain-hit second day of the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha.
- At stumps on day two, South Africa were 5/97, with Temba Bavuma unbeaten on 41.
- Scott Boland said he wants to play every Test but accepts that is not 100 per cent realistic.
How Scott Boland earned his place for the second Test in Gqeberha
Australia travelled to Gqeberha, leading the three-match series 1-0 after a 214-run win in Durban, but the second Test has been shaped as much by the weather as by the cricket. Rain has reduced the first two days significantly and favoured bowlers who strike quickly.
Scott Boland was picked ahead of off-spinner Nathan Lyon because the first morning was cloudy and the forecast suggested time would be lost. Josh Hazlewood then fell ill and missed the second day, leaving Australia without a frontline quick on a day reduced to 30 overs.
Boland made sure that did not hurt them. He finished with 4 for 31, leaving South Africa on 97 for 5 at stumps, with Australia in a strong position if the skies stay clear, and he later explained how he stays ready despite so little time in the middle.
Scott Boland takes four wickets as South Africa slip to 5/97
Boland did the early damage on the opening day, when he struck twice in consecutive balls to remove Aiden Markram and David Bedingham. Markram drove on the up, and Bedingham played away from his body, and both dismissals showed how often Boland puts a batter's technique under pressure. On Monday, Boland picked up where he left off.
With his seventh delivery of the afternoon, from round the wicket, he drew Marques Ackerman into a drive that Alex Carey caught. He said, “I'm just trying to put the pressure on the batter as much as I can.” Mitchell Starc removed Matthew Breetzke, leaving South Africa 40 for 4.
Ryan Rickelton, dropped at leg slip by Marnus Labuschagne on 26, added 52 with Temba Bavuma before Boland found his edge, and Matt Renshaw took a low one-handed catch at slip after Carey left it.
South Africa's batting coach Ashwell Prince compared Boland with a former Proteas seamer. He said, “Scott reminds me a little bit of someone like Vernon Philander. He doesn't miss his spot often.” Prince added that Boland's height keeps the ball around the top of the stumps.
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Scott Boland says he wants to play every Test for Australia
According to ESPNcricinfo, Boland is now the oldest specialist quick to play for Australia since Ray Lindwall in 1960. He has played only 20 Tests since his debut against England at the MCG in 2021-22, and Pat Cummins spoke before this match about the dilemma of fitting him in.
Boland was told only on the morning of the Test that he was playing, but he said it took him just six balls to feel good in the lead-up. Three days earlier he bowled about 10 overs at centre-wicket training, longer than planned, to make up for a dip. Boland accepts that his time is limited.
He said, “I'm not like, 25 [years old], so I know that time's probably running out a little bit.” He added, “But we've got so many Tests over the next 12 months that I knew I was going to play a part somewhere.” Boland then made his intentions clear to the selectors.
Boland added, “I want to play every Test, but I probably know that's not 100% realistic, so I just want to be ready for whenever I get an opportunity and then trying to get back into the game straight away.”
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Australia should pick Scott Boland whenever conditions suit seam
Scott Boland has done enough in Gqeberha to be treated as a first choice whenever conditions suit seam bowling. Australia's pace group is full of proven names, but depth should not mean omitting a bowler who keeps producing when he gets a chance. Josh Hazlewood is expected to be fit for the rest of this Test.
With that in mind, Australia will have a full set of fast bowlers again for the final match. The selectors then need a clear principle, and it should be to pick the attack that suits the conditions, not reputation. That approach would also end the pattern in which Boland waits for a cloudy morning or a green pitch to be noticed.
A bowler who prepares as thoroughly as he does should not need a forecast to justify his place in the side. Australia lead the series 1-0 and have one more Test to play in it.
How the selectors use Boland in that match will show whether they are willing to plan around the best bowler for the conditions or whether his place will keep depending on the weather.
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