Australian fast bowler Scott Boland grabbed attention with his stunning dismissal of Steve Smith during the Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and New South Wales on October 22. The 35-year-old pacer bowled a sharp in-swinging delivery on the Melbourne pitch, catching Smith off guard as he left the ball, resulting in an LBW.
This moment showed exactly what Boland is known for – consistent accuracy with the red ball, especially in Australian conditions. His ability to hit the right spots and move the ball both ways has always been dangerous. With three wickets already in the match, Boland has put Victoria in a strong position to win.
Seeing Boland take down Smith has sparked conversations about the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where fans are wondering how challenging he will be for India’s batters.
Here are three key reasons why Scott Boland could be India’s biggest challenge in the India-Australia five-match Test series.
1. Scott Boland’s Impact in His Only Test Against India
In the World Test Championship (WTC) final against India, Scott Boland made a huge impression. Filling in for the injured Josh Hazlewood, Boland proved to be a match-winner for Australia. After Australia posted a massive total of 469, Boland took the important wicket of Shubman Gill early on and later dismissed India’s wicketkeeper Srikar Bharat, restricting India to 296.
Boland’s brilliance didn’t end there. In India’s second innings, he once again got rid of Gill for a low score and then delivered the critical blow by removing Virat Kohli for 49. He also took the wicket of Ravindra Jadeja, securing three wickets in the innings as Australia won by 209 runs to claim the WTC title.
With match figures of 5/105, Boland left a lasting impact on several Indian batters, many of whom will face him again in the upcoming series.
2. Boland’s Exceptional Test Record in Australia
Boland’s Test stats in Australia are nothing short of amazing. In the six home Tests he has played, he has taken 28 wickets at an outstanding average of 12.21 and with an economy rate of just 2.20.
His debut Test performance, where he took 6/7 in the 2021-22 Ashes, remains unforgettable. In five of his 12 Test bowling innings at home, Boland has taken at least three wickets.
His accuracy, combined with the perfect seam movement and bounce on Australian pitches, makes him a tough challenge for even the best batters. Indian batters, who prefer to score quickly, may find it difficult to play against Boland’s disciplined bowling style, which demands patience and caution.
Additionally, Australia has won five of the six home tests that Boland has played, with only one match ending in a draw.
3. Boland’s Recent Form on Similar Pitches
Despite not playing for the national side since the Ashes last year, Boland has continued his wicket-taking spree in Australian domestic cricket. He has started the new Sheffield Shield season with a bang, as seen in his dismissal of Steve Smith.
Boland also ended the previous Sheffield Shield season strongly, with 19 wickets in three matches at an impressive average of 13.05. His experience with over 100 first-class games and 380 wickets at an average of 24.07 makes him a dangerous bowler, especially in home conditions.
With such form and experience, Boland is set to be a major threat to India’s batting lineup in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series.
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