Old man marvel Scott Boland exudes calmness whenever he has the ball in hand.
Scott Boland shines against South Africa but rain dominates again
The veteran quick ended the day with four wickets
South Africa struggle to 97-5 on second day
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Scott Boland had to wait a long time. Scott Boland took a wicket as soon as he got a chance. It was the same story on day two of the second Test at Gqeberha as it had been on day one, with rain delaying play, this time until deep into the afternoon. When a wet outfield had finally dried enough to allow play to resume in African sunshine, South Africa lost three more wickets to finish on 97 for 5.
It was 3:45pm, six hours after the planned start, when Boland got to finish the over that he’d started the day before. Four balls, one driven by Temba Bavuma to the boundary. That happens from time to time because Boland goes full, inviting that shot while searching for an edge. That’s how he got Aiden Markram and David Bedingham the day before. Seven balls into day two, that’s how he added Marques Ackerman.
Continue reading...‘Elite’ Boland truth that can’t be ignored as grave fear emerges for Aussie great — Talking Pts
Australia are well on top after another rain-reduced day in Gqeberha with South Africa 5/97 at stumps on day two.
‘Actions speak louder than words’: England’s white-ball captain Harry Brook relishes responsibility
Batter approaching unwanted Wellington anniversary
England take on Pakistan and Sri Lanka in ODI series
Harry Brook is embracing leadership and responsibility as he nears the one-year anniversary of his Wellington altercation, insisting he wants to be “the man England fans and the team rely on”.
Brook has in the past admitted he could have been sacked as white-ball captain after being punched by a nightclub bouncer, hours before leading England in an ODI against New Zealand on Halloween last year.
Continue reading...Young Vic quick now hot Aussie property after latest 5-fa; ex-Test batter’s timely ton — Shield Wrap
A young Victorian quick has quickly become one of the country’s hottest properties, while a batter who last played for Australia three years ago pulled off an epic recovery mission as the second round of the Sheffield Shield began on Monday.
‘Oh my god’: Aussie star’s slip screamer stuns as cult hero continues dream Test return
Scott Boland doubled his wicket tally with a Matt Renshaw screamer ramming home Australia’s advantage on another rain-affected day of the second Test against South Africa at Gqeberha.
Smith was spitting chips after a tough Durban net. Only one man could shake him from his funk
Just before Australia’s tour of South Africa began in Durban earlier this month, Steve Smith was in a mood at Kingsmead Stadium, cursing for every ball that found the edge of his bat.
Aussies’ new Lyon reality explained… and who pays biggest price for seismic shift
St George’s Park in Gqeberha is unlike most other cricket venues around the world, in that cricket is the only sport played professionally there.
Australia’s Boland damages South Africa in brief respite from rain
Just 12.2 overs possible on first day of second Test
Bowler seizes his opportunity with two wickets
If there is a theme to Scott Boland’s Test career, it’s making the most of limited opportunity. Finding a way into the team in 2021 when it seemed that chance had passed him by, remaining fourth in line for three spots, playing at the whim of absence, yet in those moments becoming a wrecking force, causing rashes of wickets, taking first-over strikes, threatening hat-tricks and once making good.
So began the second Test in Gqeberha, another match he wasn’t supposed to play, on a day that didn’t get 13 overs bowled, yet there he was. Making the score 20 for two. Squeezing into the game through the tiniest gap, like Eugene Tooms escaping from a cell.
Continue reading...Talking Points: ‘Dangerous’ warning as fuming legend axed; other ruthless change Aussies should have made
Scott Boland’s recall in place of Nathan Lyon was the big talking point on an opening day of the second Test in Gqeberha ruined by rain.
Aussies survive almighty scare as late collapse sparks T20 thriller
Australia overcame a mighty scare to defeat New Zealand by two wickets with seven balls to spare in the opening T20 of their three game series at North Sydney Oval.
Shock inclusion SO close to hat-trick as wet weather chaos halts Aussie charge
Scott Boland repaid the selectors faith, taking two wickets in two balls to put Australia on top on a rain-affected opening day of the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha.
Forgotten blaster’s World Cup reminder with record-breaking ton … but there’s a catch
Jake Fraser-McGurk has reignited his quest for an international recall, shattering records with a spectacular century to lead South Australia to victory in the One-Day Cup.
‘Testosterone to burn’: Kagiso Rabada plays down 2018 clash with Australia’s Steve Smith
‘There’s no hate,’ says bowler ahead of return to St George’s Park
Pair clashed in Gqeberha during heated series six years ago
Kagiso Rabada insists there is no lingering bad blood with Australia as the South Africa speedster prepares to return to the site of his controversial clash with Steve Smith.
Rabada has been declared fit to come back from his hamstring tear and face Australia in the second Test at St George’s Park, in his first match since May. The South African’s return comes at a crucial point in the series, with the hosts fighting to stay alive after their 214-run pumping in Durban last week.
Continue reading...Mutton rootie, dumpies and darts for six bucks? A walk down memory lane as the past and present meet in South Africa
As Cameron Green was batting in Gqeberha on Saturday, a bloodcurdling howl had heads turning swiftly towards the net where the angular Australian was facing for fear he has suffered another foul blow.