Australia pacer Scott Boland picked his 50th test wicket on day 01 of the fifth test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy at Sydney Cricket Ground and became the oldest player to do so.
Nitish Kumar Reddy became his 50th dismissal after dismissing Rishabh Pant in the 57th over. Among Australian bowlers who have picked up at least 50 wickets, Boland’s average of 18.64 is the fourth best.
He is the first Australian in 92 years to pick up 50 test wickets at an average under 20.00.
Boland started the day with the wicket of the dangerous Yashasvi Jaiswal and should have had Virat Kohli off the very next ball, but Steve Smith grassed the ball at slip before popping it to Marnus Labuschagne at gully.
It took a while, but he finally got the better of Kohli with the batter once again being dismissing poking at outside.
Scott Boland received a standing ovation at the SCG after this magnificent moment. #AUSvINDhttps://t.co/mgAsxjacTT
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2025
Boland made his debut against England in Melbourne in 2021, has joined an elite list of players. Among Australian bowlers who have atleast 50 test wickets, Boland’s average of 18.64 is the fourth best.
Best bowling average for Australian bowler in Tests
- 16.53 – Charlie Turner
- 17.97 – Bert Ironmonger
- 18.41 – Fred Spofforth
- 18.64 – Scott Boland
India won the toss and decided to bat against Australia in Sydney, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul opened for the tourists. The Indian openers failed to cement a soild partnership.
Starc drew first blood as he removed KL Rahul, while Jaiswal was dismissed by Boland. Before the end of first session, Lyon dismissed a crucial wicket as he dismissed Shubman Gill for 20 runs.
Post Lunch, Kohli failed on a delivery outside the off-stump handing Boland his second wicket after being caught by Beau Webster at third slip. After Jadeja’s dismissal for 26 runs, India lost 7 wickets for 134 runs.
India struggles continued as they lost eight wickets for 148 runs with Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna at Crease.
