Cricket: Scott Boland ranked sixth best bowler in the world
Boland, who took 3-2 in the final Test in Jamaica after being overlooked for the first two, is now the sixth ranked bowler in the world, ahead of man-of-the series Mitch Starc, who is 10th.
The entire first-choice Australian attack all sit comfortably in the top 10, with captain Pat Cummins at three, Josh Hazlewood at four and spin star Nathan Lyon, who was left out for Boland in the West Indies, at number eight.
It's a staggering feat for Boland, who has resigned himself to being a horses-for-courses selection, behind Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc despite performing whenever called upon.
Australia's Scott Boland celebrates after his hat-trick. Picture: AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan
The 36-year-old Victorian took three wickets in both innings of the final Test, a day-night affair at Sabina Park, taking his career haul to 62 from just 14 games, with regular spells out of the Australian team.
His bowling average of 16.53 puts him among the most effective in the game's history.
Speaking after his brilliant turn in Jamaica, Boland said he's comfortable knowing his role was to do a job when called upon behind some of the best fast bowlers the game has ever seen.
'I'm playing with three of the best fast bowlers Australia has ever had, so I'm happy to be in behind them,' Boland said.
'It's going to extend all of our careers if we can all stay on the park and keep bowling really well, so I'm happy with that.
'I know I'm not going to play every game, so I can be really specific with my training, and then when I get to a Test match I'm going to play, I'm ready to go.'
Confirmation of the brilliance of the Australian bowling attack comes through in the rankings.
What a team - Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Scott Boland with the Frank Worrell Trophy. Picture: Supplied
It's the first time since 1958 a team has had six bowlers ranked in the world's top 10.
Lyon dropped a spot after being omitted to allow Boland to play in Jamaica, while Starc remained in 10th spot despite his haul of 6-9 in the second innings in his 100th Test, which took him past 400 career wickets.
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