Boland's 4-31 puts Australia on top in Gqeberha Test at Day 2
Synopsis
Scott Boland is 37, plays every other Test at best, and is Australia's oldest specialist pace bowler since 1960 — yet his 4-31 in Gqeberha is the single biggest reason South Africa are on the ropes at 97/5. His own batting coach compared him to Vernon Philander. The question isn't whether Boland is good enough; it's whether Australia can keep leaving him out.
Key Takeaways
Scott Boland took 4 for 31 to reduce South Africa to 97 for 5 at the end of Day 2 of the 2nd Test in Gqeberha .
Boland, 37 , is Australia's oldest specialist Test pacer since Ray Lindwall in 1960 .
He dismissed Aiden Markram , David Bedingham , Marques Ackerman , and Ryan Rickelton across the two days.
Rain washed out more than 100 overs across Days 1 and 2 , making his figures even more decisive.
South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince compared Boland to Vernon Philander , calling him near-impossible to score off on his line.
Boland has played only 19 Tests since his debut in the 2021 Ashes , competing for places against Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc, and Lyon.
Fast bowler Scott Boland has declared he wants to play in every Test match Australia contest over the next 12 months, even as he acknowledges the fierce competition for places in one of cricket's most formidable pace attacks. His ambitions are being backed by deeds: Boland's 4 for 31 has left South Africa reeling at 97 for 5 in their first innings at the end of Day 2 of the second Test at St George's Park, Gqeberha.
A Rare Chance Seized
Boland, 37, sits in a peculiar position in Australian cricket — a performer of the highest order who rarely gets to perform. He is Australia's oldest specialist Test pace bowler since Ray Lindwall in 1960, and with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and spin legend Nathan Lyon ahead of him in the pecking order, he has played only 19 Tests since his stunning debut in the 2021 Ashes.
He carried the drinks in the first Test of this series before being selected ahead of Lyon for the rain-affected second match at Gqeberha. To stay sharp, he put in an hour-long bowling spell just three days before the Test began. The investment paid immediate dividends.
Key Wickets and Match Impact
Boland struck early on Day 1, dismissing Aiden Markram and David Bedingham on back-to-back balls to put South Africa under pressure. On Day 2, he continued his dominance, removing debutant opener Marques Ackerman and wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton. With rain washing out more than 100 overs across the two days, Boland's relentless accuracy has been the defining factor separating the two sides.
'It probably felt like, from the end I started, (there) was probably a little bit less bounce. I felt like the stumps were really in the game,' Boland said after Day 2. 'My game-plan is pretty simple, I'm just trying to put the pressure on the batter as much as I can, get as many repeat balls in a good area, making them make tough decisions.'
Boland on Ageing and Ambition
In a candid assessment of his career, Boland acknowledged the passage of time without allowing it to dampen his drive. 'I'm not like, 25 (years old), so I know that time's probably running out a little bit,' he said. 'But we've got so many Tests over the next 12 months that I knew I was going to play a part somewhere, so (I) back that preparation. I want to play every Test, but I probably know that's not 100% realistic, so I just want to be ready for whenever I get an opportunity and then try to get back into the game straight away.'
It is a philosophy that mirrors his bowling: measured, patient, but devastating when the moment arrives.
South Africa's Assessment: A Modern-Day Philander
South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince paid Boland a significant compliment, likening him to the late, great Vernon Philander. 'Scott reminds me a little bit of someone like Vernon Philander,' Prince said. 'He doesn't miss his spot often. And because of his height, slightly shorter, (but) not a lot shorter than the other guys, his balls are always in and around the top of the stump ... against taller guys, you can leave a lot more balls on length.'
Prince added that Boland's accuracy at the top of the stumps creates persistent uncertainty for batters — whether to play or leave becomes a constant, exhausting decision. 'His record speaks for itself. I think the only thing that's stopping him is that it's quite hard for him to get in the line-up consistently,' the batting coach noted.
What's Next for Australia and Boland
With South Africa's first innings in trouble at 97 for 5 and rain having already disrupted significant playing time, Australia will be eager to wrap up the tail early on Day 3 and press for a match-winning lead. For Boland, every over he bowls strengthens his argument that a bowler averaging under 20 in Tests deserves a regular starting berth — age and a crowded attack notwithstanding.
Point of View
Yet spends more time watching than playing. The Philander comparison from Prince is apt — both are masters of top-of-off relentlessness — but Philander was his team's first-choice pacer; Boland is arguably still fighting for that status at 37. Australia's embarrassment of pace riches is a genuine selection headache, but it also risks wasting a rare talent in his final competitive years. If the next 12 months are as match-heavy as the schedule suggests, the real test for Cricket Australia is whether they can find a rotation that keeps Boland in the XI rather than carrying drinks.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Scott Boland's bowling figures in the Gqeberha Test?
Scott Boland took 4 wickets for 31 runs across the first two days of the second Test at St George's Park, Gqeberha, leaving South Africa at 97 for 5 in their first innings. His victims included Aiden Markram, David Bedingham, Marques Ackerman, and Ryan Rickelton.
Why does Scott Boland not play every Test for Australia?
Australia's pace attack features Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, alongside spin great Nathan Lyon, leaving limited room for Boland. He has played only 19 Tests since his 2021 Ashes debut despite consistently impressive returns when selected.
What did Scott Boland say about his Test future?
Boland said he wants to play every Test Australia play over the next 12 months but acknowledged that is 'probably not 100% realistic.' He added that at 37, he knows 'time's probably running out a little bit' but is committed to staying ready whenever an opportunity arises.
Why did South Africa's batting coach compare Boland to Vernon Philander?
Ashwell Prince said Boland, like Philander, rarely misses his line and consistently targets the top of the stumps, creating uncertainty for batters over whether to play or leave. Prince noted that Boland's record 'speaks for itself' and that the only obstacle to his career is securing a consistent place in the line-up.
How old is Scott Boland and what is his historical significance in Australian cricket?
Boland is 37 years old and is Australia's oldest specialist Test pace bowler since the legendary Ray Lindwall played in 1960. Despite his age, he has remained one of Australia's most economical and effective Test bowlers whenever selected.
