Australia’s top pacer Scott Boland made history in his remarkable Test cricket career by delivering another defining bowling display, this time on Day 2 of the third Test against the West Indies at Sabina Park, Jamaica. Boland’s marvelous 3/34 has brought his career bowling average to 17.33, a figure that no Test bowler over the last 110 years (minimum 2000 balls bowled) has achieved, the ICC states.
Only Syd Barnes, an English player from the early 1900s, has a more impressive average in Test history. Amazingly, everyone with better figures is from the 1800s showing just how uncommon Boland’s consistency has become in modern times.
The total of 225 by Australia’s first innings appeared tame, but the tourists dug in hard with the ball. Boland was instrumental in tearing through the West Indies order for 143, gaining a vital 82-run advantage.
Some of his most important wickets included John Campbell, who miscued a ball that turned back sharply, and Shai Hope, whose exposure to Boland’s accuracy and trajectory caused him to fall. The Aussie quick then finished off the tail by castling Shamar Joseph to conclude the innings decisively.
But the Windies fought back with a late charge, leaving Australia six down by the close of Day 2, their advantage just short of 200 runs. Cameron Green was not out on 42, with skipper Pat Cummins on 5, as Australia led by 181 runs at stumps.
Having already won the series 2-0 in the ICC World Test Championship, Australia leads the WTC standings in this fresh cycle and will be keen to carry their dominance further on Day 3.
