(Getty Images)
Australia’s premier fast bowler, Scott Boland, etched his name in Test cricket history with a remarkable achievement. At 35 years and 267 days old, Boland became the oldest pacer to reach 50 wickets in the longest format of the game, surpassing New Zealand’s Bevan Congdon (37 years and 10 days), who last achieved the milestone in February 1975.
Boland accomplished this feat during the ongoing fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, being played at the Sydney Cricket Ground between Australia and India.
Scott Boland becomes the oldest player to reach 50 Test Wickets
Scott Boland has been a constant menace to the India National Cricket Team’s batters in the ongoing Test. The pacer has been Australia’s most threatening bowler, delivering timely breakthroughs and continuously applying pressure on the Jasprit Bumrah-led side.
Boland struck first for his team by dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal, and from that point, he never looked back. He followed up with the key wicket of Virat Kohli, then took two vital scalps in quick succession, removing Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy on consecutive deliveries.
Scott Boland has been in exceptional form throughout the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, proving to be a standout performer for the Australia National Cricket Team. Stepping in for Josh Hazlewood, who featured in just two matches this series, Boland has more than filled the gap.
In the three games he’s played so far, Boland has taken 15 wickets. Given his current rhythm and the way he’s bowling in the ongoing Test, it’s safe to say that another five-wicket haul in the longest format could be just around the corner for the veteran pacer.
Also Read: Virat Kohli Sets Test Retirement Date, But BCCI Could Pave the Way for Early Exit
Australia dominated India at Sydney Test
On Day 1 of the ongoing match, the Australia National Cricket Team completely dominated with the ball, leaving the India National Cricket Team struggling at the crease. The visitors’ batting performance was lackluster, as they appeared unsettled against the seam movement and bounce on offer.
Rishabh Pant was the lone bright spot for India, showing resilience and taking multiple body blows while fighting hard at the crease. His gritty 40-run knock, along with a valuable 26 from Ravindra Jadeja, provided some resistance. Both will be hoping to push past 200 runs and give the bowlers something to defend in the coming innings.
