Scott Boland delivered a stunning performance on Monday in Jamaica, leading the Australian cricket team to a remarkable victory over the West Indies. He bowled a fantastic final and got his hat-trick. That spell of bowling was key to West Indies’ 27 all out. Australia were jubilant after an impressive 176-run win. This victory guaranteed them a clean sweep of the Frank Worrell Trophy series, winning all three matches.
For this reason among others, Boland’s achievement is particularly remarkable. He’s entered an exclusive club, becoming just the 10th Australian man to achieve a hat-trick in Test cricket. His artistry was awe-inspiring, taking three wickets, each one aimed straight at the stumps or just off them. This sell out garnered more than just a well deserved spotlight on his talent, it was a record breaking day for the touring team.
A Record-Breaking Day
Even outside of the remarkable hat-trick, the match in Kingston will be one to remember. Ironically enough, it was achieved for the imperishable historic importance of Boland’s cricketing bowling average. Scott Boland has a Test bowling average of 16.53. This puts him statistically as the greatest Test bowler ever over the last century. His feat places him above all other bowlers in the last hundred years. This incredible accomplishment speaks to his level of precision, creativity and effectiveness on the field.
Boland only made his Test debut in late 2021. Since then, he has only featured in 14 of Australia’s 39 Tests. He initially impressed with a stellar 6-7 on debut and followed it up with a 10-wicket haul during a match in Sydney last summer. Even when opportunity has failed him, or the odds have been stacked against him, Boland has made his presence known every time he graces the pitch.
Mitchell Starc lauded Boland as a fighter and the man with a golden arm. He is a great bowler. He will be so ready to play and every time he gets an opportunity, he just performs.” — Dinesh Karthik This sentiment speaks to both Boland’s caliber as a bowler and his commitment to the sport.
The Impact of Inclusion
In addition to her championships, Boland’s inclusion in the team has been important for the diversification of its history. He also joins elite company as just the second fast bowler to represent Australia after turning 36 in the past 60 years. The only other bowler in this elite company is Glenn McGrath. This milestone not only speaks to his durability, but to his dedication to the game of cricket at its most elite level.
Even Australian captain Pat Cummins had special praise for Boland, harping back to the time he’d spent backing up other players as he languished for chances. “He has spent a lot of time running the drinks in the past year or two when the other guys are fit, but he is always quality when he comes in,” Cummins remarked. His leadership, breadth of experience, and institutional knowledge have truly made him an invaluable teammate.
Boland was exceptionally good at attacking scorers. He then squeezed out Justin Greaves, before trapping Shamar Joseph LBW on review. Boland showed incredible accuracy to hit the top of off stumps and remove Jomel Warrican. This moment made it all the more clear what a dominant match he had.
Looking Ahead
There’s every reason to believe that as Scott Boland continues to star on every stage, the future is bright for the 33-year-old in Australian cricket. His capacity to provide elite-level performances when the lights are the brightest has made him an indispensable piece of the team. With records falling in his wake, cricket fans around the world wonder what he will do next.
