When opportunity knocks in international cricket, you’d better be ready to smash the door down. Scott Boland proved once more why Australia can’t afford to leave him on the shelf, ripping through South Africa’s top order with figures of four for 31 to leave the Proteas reeling at 97/5 on a rain-ravaged Monday at St George’s Park.
It’s a familiar script by now. Limited chances, maximum impact.
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Boland may sit behind skipper Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in Australia’s pace-bowling hierarchy, but when he gets the nod, he makes every delivery count. All four quicks occupy spots in the world’s top ten Test bowling rankings, a luxury few nations can boast, yet it’s Boland’s metronomic accuracy that often proves the most lethal weapon.
“I like to play every game I can,” Boland admitted, though he’s realistic about the fierce competition for places. But in Gqeberha, where Australia opted for an all-seam attack, the Victorian seized his moment with both hands.
Sharpening the blade
The preparation was far from ideal. Boland hadn’t featured in a first-class match since March, and his last Test appearance came back in January. Yet rust was nowhere to be seen.
“My mindset is to find my line and length quickly,” Boland explained. It sounds simple, but execution is everything. And execute he did.
On a rain-ruined opening day, Boland snared both wickets. When play finally resumed on Monday , a full six hours late after yet more rainfall, he picked up exactly where he left off.
The damage unfolds
Debutant Marques Ackerman became Boland’s first victim of the day, edging a delivery bowled from around the wicket that seamed away viciously. Wicketkeeper Alex Carey gobbled up the chance, and Ackerman departed for just six runs. The left-hander, brought in to bolster the batting, lasted all of one meaningful session.
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Matthew Breetzke fared no better. Also making his debut, the 24-year-old managed only four before gifting Carey his third catch of the innings, playing a loose drive at Starc. So much for strengthening the line-up.
Ryan Rickelton offered some resistance, adding 52 for the fifth wicket with skipper Temba Bavuma, but just when South Africa seemed to be mounting a recovery, Boland returned to shatter their hopes. Rickelton’s 31-run knock ended in spectacular fashion, Matt Renshaw plucking a sensational one-handed catch at first slip.
The Philander comparison
South African batting coach Ashwell Prince knows class when he sees it. He drew comparisons between Boland and former Proteas seamer Vernon Philander, another master of nagging accuracy.
“He doesn’t miss his spot very often,” Prince observed. “His balls are always on or around the top of the stumps so there’s always that uncertainty (for batters).”
Prince remained bullish about his own attack’s prospects, though. “The ball is moving around and the pitch is a bit soft so there are some divots around. I like to think we have a few bowlers that can present the same challenges,” he said.
Series context
The world Test champions find themselves in unfamiliar territory. After being hammered by 214 runs in the opening Test at Durban, South Africa needed a strong start in the second test. Instead, they’ve been blown away by Australia’s pace battery, with Boland the chief destroyer.
The rain delays have made conditions even trickier, with moisture in the pitch offering extravagant movement for the seamers. But whilst both sides possess world-class pace attacks, it’s Australia who’ve capitalised ruthlessly.
At 97/5, South Africa face a mountain to climb. They’ll need a monumental partnership to haul themselves back into contention, because if there’s one thing Boland and company excel at, it’s finishing what they start.
