Scott Boland

Scott Michael Boland (born 11 April 1989) is an Australian international cricketer. A right-arm fast-medium bowler, he also plays domestically for Victoria and the Hobart Hurricanes.^[3] In March 2019, he was named the Sheffield Shield Player of the Year by Cricket Australia.^[4] Boland is one of a handful of Indigenous Australians to be selected to play for Australia at international level and, as of December 2021, is only the second male Aboriginal player to have played Test cricket for Australia, after Jason Gillespie.^[5] Boland was a member of the Australian team that won the 2023 ICC World Test Championship final.

Scott Boland

Boland during his Test match debut against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, 2021–22 Ashes
Personal information
Full name	Scott Michael Boland
Born	(1989-04-11) 11 April 1989 (age 34) Mordialloc, Victoria, Australia
Nickname	Barrel, Bolo^[1]
Height	1.85^[2] m (6 ft 1 in)
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm fast-medium
Role	Bowler
International information
National side	Australia (2016–present)
Test debut (cap 463)	26 December 2021 v England
Last Test	16 June 2023 v England
ODI debut (cap 210)	12 January 2016 v India
Last ODI	12 October 2016 v South Africa
ODI shirt no.	26
T20I debut (cap 76)	29 January 2016 v India
Last T20I	6 September 2016 v Sri Lanka
T20I shirt no.	26
Domestic team information
Years	Team
2011/12–present	Victoria (squad no. 24)
2013/14–2018/19	Melbourne Stars
2016	Rising Pune Supergiant
2019/20–21/22	Hobart Hurricanes
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA Matches 10 14 98 63 Runs scored 47 9 946 136 Batting average 6.71 3.17 12.44 6.47 100s/50s 0/0 0/0 0/2 0/0 Top score 20 4 51 19 Balls bowled 1,531 716 18,865 3,031 Wickets 35 16 346 75 Bowling average 20.34 45.17 24.78 40.41 5 wickets in innings 1 0 8 1 10 wickets in match 0 0 0 0 Best bowling 6/7 3/67 7/31 5/63 Catches/stumpings 6/– 3/– 30/– 12/–
Medal record Men's Cricket Representing  Australia ICC World Test Championship Winner 2021-2023
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 21 June 2023

Early career

Boland was born in Mordialloc, Melbourne, Victoria, and attended St John Vianney's Primary School, Parkdale^[6] and St Bede's College, Mentone.^[7] Starting his career with Parkdale Cricket Club, Boland first played a competitive game for the club aged six, in the under-12's competition. He then rose through the ranks of Parkdale Cricket Club, before joining Victorian Premier Cricket club Frankston Peninsula at age 16, to further his cricketing development. Upon leaving Parkdale, Boland had played 41 matches in total for the club, taking 31 wickets at an average of 12.35.^[8] It was moving to Frankston that prompted Boland to work more on his bowling, at the behest of then coach Nick Jewell.^[9] After moving, Boland's first two seasons were less productive, only playing six matches in first grade, with just three wickets. He fared much better in second grade, however, getting 37 wickets in the 2008/09 season, at an average of 18.60.^[10] His next season proved more fruitful, where he played 20 matches for first grade, taking 27 wickets at an average of 27. Another consistent season with Frankston-Peninsula saw Boland take 33 wickets at an average of 25.3 in the 2010/11 season, earning him a rookie state level contract with the Victorian team.^[9]

Domestic career

Despite a strong start to the 2011/2012 season with Frankston-Peninsula, Boland wasn't called up to debut until Victoria's fourth Sheffield Shield game of the season, coming up against Western Australia, on 11 November 2011. In this game, he bowled 25 overs, taking a total of 2/92 across the two innings.^[11] Despite this modest return, he would play the next game, taking 4/87 for the match.^[12] He went on to make another appearance in the Sheffield Shield this season against South Australia, taking 3/89, finishing the season with 9 wickets at an average of 29.77.^[13]

In the 2012/13 season, Boland was not a regular member of the Sheffield Shield or Ryobi Cup squad, playing in seven of Victoria's games across both formats. In the Sheffield Shield, he took a total of 6 wickets across 5 innings, at an average of 41.83.^[14] His best figures this season came against South Australia at Adelaide Oval, where he took 3/30 in the fourth innings. These efforts were in vain, however, as South Australia went on to win by just 1 wicket. Boland fared better in the Ryobi Cup, finishing with he took 9 wickets at 27.11 for the tournament,^[15] and career best List A figures of 5/63, in another close loss against South Australia.

The 2013/14 season was much more productive for Boland, as he enjoyed an extended stay in Victoria's teams for both the Sheffield Shield and Ryobi Cup tournaments. Boland played 9 matches in the Shield this season, taking 19 wickets at an average of 37.73.^[16] He also took figures of 5/84 in loss against South Australia. It was in this season that Boland compiled his highest score in professional cricket, coming in as a nightwatchman for Victoria and scoring 51 off 212 deliveries.^[17]

The 2013/14 Ryobi Cup was somewhat of a breakthrough for Boland, he played 6 matches, taking 9 wickets at 33.33, and was Victoria's leading fast bowler during the tournament.^[18] His best figures of 3/42 came against New South Wales, his economical bowling crucial in restricting their total in a tight win.^[19]

The following season in 2014/15, Boland's performances were again consistent, and he was now a mainstay in the Victorian attack. He played every match of Victoria's Matador Cup campaign, claiming 9 wickets across the season at an average of 35.22,^[20] including defending 8 runs from the final over against New South Wales to win the game for the Victorian side. In the Sheffield Shield he played 8 games, including the final, taking 25 wickets at 30.12 along the way.^[21] His performances this season helped Victoria win their first Sheffield Shield title in 4 seasons.^[22] Amongst these performances was his first five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, taking 6/49.^[23]

 

Boland's wickets in each Sheffield Shield season

The 2015/16 season was a breakout season for Boland at both state and international level. Boland took a career-best 7/31 against Western Australia that got the attention of the national selectors, and he was added to the standby list for Australia's Test against the West Indies in Hobart.^[24] His performances across formats were strong, leading to an eventual selection to play for Australia against India in their tour of Australia in January 2016. At the end of the domestic season, he was awarded the Bill Lawry Medal as Victoria's best Sheffield Shield player, collecting 33 wickets at 20.93 on way to helping Victoria win another Sheffield Shield title. Boland took 7 wickets at 37.28 in the Matador Cup competition, another consistent season in the competition.

The 2017/18 season was another consistent season for Boland, as he claimed 38 wickets at 26.92 to finish the season as the 3rd highest wicket-taker, his best figures of 4/41 coming against South Australia, taking 8/129 for the match.^[25] Boland's was mainstay of Victoria's JLT One-Day cup, taking 6 wickets at 63.50 for the tournament.

The 2018/19 domestic season was another successful season for Boland. For Victoria in the Sheffield Shield Boland took 48 wickets, the most from Victoria, at a miserly average of 19.66.^[26] He took two 5 wickets hauls, taking 6/49 against New South Wales to bowl Victoria to an innings victory. He also took 7/54 in the first innings against South Australia to finish with figures of 9/102. These performances helped Boland on the way to claim the Sheffield Shield Player of the Season award.^[27] On the 29th of June 2023 Boland announced his return to the Melbourne Stars signing a three year contract.

International career

He made his Twenty20 International debut for Australia against India on 29 January 2016.^[28]

After consistent performances in the Ryobi Cup, Boland was selected in the ODI squad to take on India, in their tour of Australia. According to his state captain at the time, Matthew Wade, Boland was selected for his ability to bowl the final overs of the match, Wade saying: “He's worked really hard over the last 18 months to hone those skills and be a finisher. That's probably got him picked in the Australian team. His death stuff has been outstanding. He'll own that and he'll hopefully dominate that for us."^[29] He made his One Day International debut for Australia against India on 12 January 2016.^[30] He was selected to debut against India in the first match of the series, at the WACA ground. Boland went on to record figures of 0/74 off 10 overs, the worst figures by a debutant Australian bowler ever.^[31]

Notwithstanding this poor return on debut, Boland played for the rest of the series for Australia. He would pick up only 1 wicket across the other 4 games, conceding 259 runs in the process.^[32] His performances in the T20 internationals against India were also disappointing, playing in two of the three matches in this series, where he went wicket-less. Despite the poor return verses India, Boland was a mainstay in the Australian ODI team in 2016, playing all 14 of his ODI appearances this year.

He toured New Zealand with the Australian squad in February 2016, playing in the place of an injured Kane Richardson^[33] and recording figures of 2/61 and 2/59. Boland bowled well in the series, taking the crucial top order wickets throughout^[33] but it wasn't enough to win the series, Australia falling to a 2–1 series loss.

Boland's next international appearances came in a tri-series between West Indies, South Africa, and Australia in the West Indies. He was called into the squad after an injury to fellow Victorian John Hastings,^[34] and toured with the Australian squad, being named in the squad for two matches, one of which was cancelled due to weather. Boland played another, against the West Indies, where he took 2/69 from 10 overs, helping restrict the West Indies to 283, which Australia chased to win by six wickets.^[35]

His next run in the ODI team was in Australia's tour of Sri Lanka in July and August 2016, where Boland played in two of the five ODI matches on the tour, and one of the T20 internationals. In the ODI matches, he played twice, taking two wickets at 32,^[36] as Australia convincingly won the ODI series. In the T20 internationals Boland played in one match in the series fetching 3/26 from his four overs in the match, for his best T20 figures in his career.^[37]

In 2018, Boland was selected in the Aboriginal XI that toured England to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the 1868 Aboriginal team that traveled to England. His brother Nick was also in the squad of 13. The 1868 tour was the first time that an Australian sports team had represented the country overseas.^[38] Boland was a standout on the tour, with some commentators noting he was unplayable at times.^[39] Over the six matches he took five wickets at an average of 28.40^[40] and was presented with the Taverners Australia Indigenous Cricketer of the Year award.^[27]

 

Boland dismisses Haseeb Hameed, third Test match of the 2021–22 Ashes

In December 2021, Boland was added to Australia's Test squad as bowling cover, ahead of the third match of the 2021–22 Ashes series.^[41] He made his Test debut on 26 December 2021, against England. Boland had his baggy green cap presented to him by Josh Hazlewood.^[42] He took seven wickets in the match, including 6/7 in England's second innings. He was awarded the Mullagh Medal for his performance.^[43] He played in the three final Tests of the Ashes series, taking 18 wickets at an average of 9.55.^[44][45]

In 2022, Scott Boland was selected for the second Test match in a two match Test series against the West Indies. He was pivotal in breaking the opening partnerships of the West Indies 2nd Innings with a 3 wicket-maiden over, and finished with figures of 3/16 from 10 overs.^[46]

Boland was also selected in the following Test series against South Africa, playing the first two Tests matches. Josh Hazlewood replaced him in the third match. His figures in both Test matches were economical, with Boland taking 4/42 from 19 overs in the first Test^[47] and 3/83 from 29 overs in the second Test.^[48]

In June 2023, Boland was selected to play in the ICC World Test Final at The Oval against India. Boland collecting 2/59 over 20 overs in the first innings and 3/46 over 16 overs in the second innings. In the second innings, Boland was crucial in breaking opening partnerships, taking the wickets of Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja.^[49] He was a main part of the win in the test for Australia.

In the 2023 Ashes, 1st test fourth innings, Scott Boland made his test high score of 20 runs in Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham, achieved with the help of Usman Khawaja.

Personal life

In 2017, Boland's family discovered that his grandfather, John Edward, was Aboriginal, from the Gulidjan tribe in the Colac area of Victoria.^[50][51] After discovering this, Boland sought to embrace his indigenous heritage, playing in indigenous representative teams, and seeking to further educate himself on indigenous traditions.

Boland has a wife with whom he has two children.

Boland has a brother, Nick, who also played professional cricket, for Victoria's Future League side. The indigenous tour to England in 2018 was the first time the brothers played together at any level.^[52]

References

1. "Scott Boland - Cricket Victoria". cricketvictoria.com.au. Cricket Victoria. from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
2. "Scott Boland". cricket.com.au. Cricket Australia. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
3. "Scott Boland". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
4. "Boland named Shield Player of the Year". Cricket Australia. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
5. "Scott Boland to become fourth Indigenous Australian to play Test cricket". Independent.co.uk. 25 December 2021.
6. "Snapshot: Boland on Boxing Day is greater than Callaghan in mid-April". theage.com.au. 20 April 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
7. "The St Bede's College Old Collegians Cricket Hall of Champions".
8. "Player Career Statistics - Bowling | Parkdale Cricket Club". www.parkdalecc.com. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
9. "Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club". www.fpcc.vic.cricket.com.au. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
10. "Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club". www.fpcc.vic.cricket.com.au. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
11. "Full Scorecard of Victoria vs West Aust 10th Match 2011/12 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
12. "Full Scorecard of Tasmania vs Victoria 13th Match 2011/12 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
13. "Sheffield Shield, 2011/12 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
14. "Sheffield Shield, 2012/13 - Victoria Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
15. "Ryobi One-Day Cup, 2012/13 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
16. "Sheffield Shield, 2013/14 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
17. "Wade leads Victoria with hundred". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
18. "Ryobi One-Day Cup, 2013/14 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
19. "Full Scorecard of NSW vs Victoria 4th Match 2013/14 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
20. "Matador BBQs One-Day Cup, 2014/15 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
21. "Sheffield Shield, 2014/15 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
22. "Victoria farewell Shipperd with Sheffield Shield title". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
23. "Stoinis blitz seals Victoria win". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
24. "'Outstanding' Boland reaps reward for Shield consistency". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
25. "Full Scorecard of South Aust vs Victoria 17th match 2017/18 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
26. "Sheffield Shield, 2018/19 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
27. "Boland named Shield Player of the Year". Cricket Australia. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
28. "India tour of Australia, 2nd T20I: Australia v India at Melbourne, Jan 29, 2016". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
29. "Boland backed to bowl at death in ODIs". SBS News. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
30. "India tour of Australia, 1st ODI: Australia v India at Perth, Jan 12, 2016". ESPNcricinfo. ESPN Sports Media. 12 January 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
31. Decent, Tom (13 January 2016). "Scott Boland optimistic despite worst debut one-day bowling figures by an Australian". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
32. "India in Australia ODI Series, 2015/16 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
33. "Warner, Marsh ace Australia's 282 chase". ESPNcricinfo. 6 February 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
34. "Injured Hastings out of West Indies tri-series". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
35. "Full Scorecard of West Indies vs Australia 8th Match 2016 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
36. "Australia in Sri Lanka ODI Series, 2016 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
37. "Australia in Sri Lanka T20I Series, 2016 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
38. Sampson, David (January 2009). "Culture, 'race' and discrimination in the 1868 Aboriginal cricket tour of England". Australian Aboriginal Studies. 2: 44–66 – via Informit.
39. "Walking in the footsteps of Dick-a-Dick: a new path for Australia's indigenous cricketers". ESPNcricinfo. 11 June 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
40. "Aboriginal XI tour of England, Jun 2018 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
41. "Scott Boland added to Australia squad for third Ashes Test". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
42. "3rd Test, Melbourne, Dec 26 - 30 2021, The Ashes". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
43. "Australia Vs England Ashes 3rd Test Scorecard". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
44. Scott Boland Career Test Bowling Stats, ESPNcricinfo, Retrieved 16 January 2022.
45. "Head edges out unlucky Boland to win Ashes player of the series award". ESPNcricinfo. The Roar. 16 January 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
46. "Full Scorecard of Australia vs West Indies 2nd Test 2022/23 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
47. "South Africa vs Australia Scorecard 2022/23 | Cricket Scorecard". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
48. "South Africa vs Australia Scorecard 2022/23 | Cricket Scorecard". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
49. "Australia vs India Scorecard 2021-2023 | Cricket Scorecard". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
50. Cherny, Daniel (19 December 2017). "Scott Boland embracing his Indigenous background". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
51. Wathawurrung and the Colac language of southern Victoria. Barry J. Blake, Australian National University. Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies. Department of Linguistics. Canberra: Pacific linguistics, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University. 1998. ISBN 0-85883-498-7. OCLC 39441960.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
52. "Christian named Indigenous Captain". Cricket Victoria. 3 July 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2021.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Scott Boland.

• Scott Boland at ESPNcricinfo