Australian pacer Scott Boland has carved out his place in cricket history. On the opening day of the Sydney Test against India, Boland took his 50th Test wicket. At 35 years and 267 days, he’s now the oldest fast bowler to reach this milestone since 1975. Add to that his incredible bowling stats—a jaw-dropping average of 18.64 and a strike rate of 40.3—and it’s clear this achievement is something special.
Boland reached the landmark in just 24 innings, sealing the moment by dismissing Nitish Kumar Reddy. Earlier in the day, he got rid of Rishabh Pant, once again showing his talent for breaking key partnerships when it matters most. As Boland picked up his 50th wicket, the entire SCG went up in applause for the right-arm pacer.
Elite Bowling Averages in Australian History
Boland’s figures place him among the legends of Australian cricket. Among bowlers with at least 50 Test wickets, his average of 18.64 ranks fourth.
Top Australian Bowling Averages (Min. 50 wickets):
- 16.53 – Charlie Turner
- 17.97 – Bert Ironmonger
- 18.41 – Fred Spofforth
- 18.64 – Scott Boland
The Strike Rate King
Not just averages, Boland’s strike rate is record-breaking. His mark of 40.3 is the best for any Australian bowler with over 50 wickets, outpacing legends like Fred Spofforth and Pat Cummins.
Best Bowling Strike Rates for Australia (Min. 50 wickets):
- 40.3 – Scott Boland
- 44.5 – Fred Spofforth
- 45.1 – Jack Saunders
- 46.7 – Pat Cummins
Consistency Against Top Batters
Boland has earned a reputation for dismissing premier batsmen. Virat Kohli tops his list of frequent victims, with Boland having dismissed him four times in Tests. Other notable players, including Joe Root and Shubman Gill, have also fallen prey to his precise deliveries.
Most Batters Dismissed by Scott Boland in Tests:
- Virat Kohli: 4 dismissals.
- Joe Root: 4 dismissals.
- Shubman Gill: 3 dismissals.
- Zak Crawley: 3 dismissals.
- Jonny Bairstow: 3 dismissals.
Boland’s inclusion in the series came as a replacement for the injured Josh Hazlewood. Far from just filling in, Boland has strengthened his case for a regular spot in Australia’s playing XI.
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