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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
17 minutes ago
- News.com.au
SuperCoach EPL kicks off: Premier League fantasy just got serious
The ultimate Premier League fantasy experience is here and it's now part of the SuperCoach universe. In a landmark move that reshapes the Australian fantasy sports landscape, Sportsdeck's Dream Team EPL has merged with SuperCoach, launching a bold new era for Premier League fans under the banner of SuperCoach EPL. This exciting transformation brings together the rich heritage of Sportsdeck's fantasy football platform with the powerhouse of SuperCoach, delivering fans a deeper, smarter and more strategic way to play. Why SuperCoach EPL? This isn't just a rebrand. SuperCoach EPL takes the game to another level with 21 different scoring stats, meaning every pass, tackle and shot carries weight. From defenders who rack up clearances to midfielders who dominate possession, the expanded scoring system rewards every aspect of football intelligence. It's a new challenge for fantasy managers who thrive on detail and tactical nuance. Four ways to play SuperCoach EPL SuperCoach EPL comes with four exciting formats, all built for fans who want to take their Premier League passion to the next level. Classic: Build your squad with a £100 million salary cap and select 15 players who score every round. Draft: Take part in a live draft where each manager selects a unique team – no player can be picked twice. EPL Cup: A knockout tournament starting in Round 13, featuring the top-performing Classic managers after Round 12. Survive and advance to win bragging rights – and $500. Tipping: Back your football instincts by picking match results each round. Whether you're a fantasy pro or Premier League tragic, there's a format to suit your style. Weekly price moves and real-time strategy SuperCoach EPL introduces a dynamic player pricing system, with values shifting each week based on form. That means smart trades, value picks and early-season bolters can make or break your season. It also means strategy is always evolving. No set-and-forget line-ups here. Every round presents a new opportunity to adjust your tactics, take calculated risks and outwit your rivals. Fresh features and fierce competition Fantasy fans will love the addition of the SuperCoach Cup, a high-stakes knockout tournament offering a $500 cash prize and ultimate bragging rights. And for those navigating injuries or chasing points, the new Trade Boosts feature gives you added flexibility when it matters most. The next level is here With a sleek new design and fully integrated SuperCoach experience, SuperCoach EPL combines gameplay, stats and social rivalry like never before. Whether you're a long-time SportsDeck player or a Premier League fan new to fantasy football, this is your invitation to experience the best of both worlds – with deeper strategy, richer data and bigger rewards. SuperCoach Plus is your ultimate SuperCoach EPL companion Already a SuperCoach Plus subscriber? Then you've unlocked the full fantasy football toolkit. Gain the upper hand in your EPL league with projected player scores, the powerful Team Optimiser, Trade Assist, and exclusive stats and insights you won't find anywhere else. To explore everything SuperCoach Plus has to offer, just tap the SuperCoach Plus button in the app or on the website. Join now SuperCoach EPL is live now and free to play with prizes up for grabs – $2000 to first, $500 to second and $500 for winning the Cup. Build your squad, challenge your mates and take on the best fantasy managers in the country. Stay tuned across our SuperCoach and News Corp networks for expert tips, analysis and updates as the 2025/26 Premier League season gets underway.
News.com.au
40 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Kevin Walters' Kangaroos appointment torn to shreds as contract detail says it all
After being unveiled as the new Kangaroos coach, Kevin Walters has a big task ahead of him; first to convince a trio of stars to stay loyal and then potentially an even tougher battle in keeping his job. Earlier this week, Walters was appointed by the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) to replace Mal Meninga as Australia's next coach on a short term deal. The three-game contract that covers the upcoming Ashes series against England at the end of this year suggests even the ARLC aren't confident he is the right man for the job. But first cab off the rank is to try and hold onto several Aussie stars. On Wednesday, six-time Kangaroo representative Greg Alexander raised genuine concerns over whether Walters is the man to convince the likes of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Payne Haas and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui to stay loyal to the green and gold instead of switching to Toa Samoa for the Pacific Championships. 'What if he can't get them on the plane?' Alexander asked Corey Parker on SEN. 'Just think about how many (Australian) players didn't play in the Pacific Championships last year, how many went 'I need a little bit of surgery' instead? 'The squad might be scattered with some of the best players, but Kev might be taking two or three down the list to fill other spots.' Parker agreed. 'I know there are more than capable props, but if you pull Payne Haas and big Tino out of the front row, they're two of the leading props in the entire game,' Parker said. 'We also know Mitch Barnett is gone for the rest of the season with an ACL, Val Holmes is gone, and Latrell Mitchell is leaning against it (selection) given his injury situation. 'There's going to be a lot of players unavailable, which makes the task even more challenging for Kevvie.' Walters is understood not to have been the first choice for the Australian job either, with Brad Fittler turning the role down. He also wasn't the second choice with Wayne Bennett reportedly preferred to Walters, but the current coaching rules didn't allow it. And veteran journalist Andrew Webster suggested on the Off The Record Podcast that the appointment of Walters on a three-game deal again adds to the notion that the Australian team is no longer the superpower they once were, and therefore it is no surprise that several stars are considering defecting. 'Kevin Walters is basically the last man standing. The fact they have only given him three games shows their lack of faith,' Webster said. 'It could be a very tough tour (with stars such as Hammer, Payne and Tino potentially not there). That's why I wish they made a better decision with the coach.' 'Hammer, Payne and Tino. … The Kangaroos used to be like the Harlem Globetrotters. But it's a different time now, and they are no longer the superpower that they were, and that's something Kevvie will have to deal with.' The ARLC handed Walters only a three-game deal, which will just cover the upcoming UK Tour. But the short-term deal suggests not even they are confident the Queenslander is the right man for the job. And Nine journalist Michael Chammas revealed talks with Melbourne Storm legend Cameron Smith about a possible transition into the Kangaroos head coach role are already underway. Smith's link to the Kangaroos' top job would further explain Walters' short term appointment. 'My understanding is Peter V'landys spoke to Cameron Smith a few days ago and told him we're going to go with Kevvie,' Chammas said on The Journos podcast. 'When Peter V'landys spoke to Cameron Smith, he brought up the assistant coach's role and said he would like to transition him into the head coach down the track as early as the 2027 World Cup. 'The three-match contract tells me that they're not completely sold that Kevvie is the right man, and in the end, there weren't many people that fit his criteria.'
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
Wagering hike ‘shows value of Inter Dominion in Queensland'
Wagering on the 2025 Brisbane Inter Dominion series has smashed a string of records. The three-night series at Albion Park bucked the national wagering trend to return a thumping 12.4 per cent increase – $6,799,000 compared to $6,051,000 – on the last Ladbrokes Brisbane Inter Dominion in December, 2023. It was by far the biggest turnover meeting in Queensland harness history, representing a 23 per cent hike on the corresponding meeting last year, headlined by the Group 1 Blacks A Fake. • 'It shows the value of having the Ladbrokes Inter Dominion back in Queensland, not just this year, but for the next two years as well,' Racing Queensland's senior racing manager Andrew Clarke said. 'That's crucial. We always felt whatever we achieved this year, we could really build on by having the iconic series three years in a row. 'We're thrilled to set a turnover record and crowning our own local champion Leap To Fame again added another layer. Throw in another Queenslander, Speak The Truth, running second and it was a golden night for the sport. 'It was really important for us to get lots of interstate flavour and the Kiwis back across. To have the Kiwis finish second and third in the trotting final will surely attract more of them back next year.' “A MODERN DAY CHAMPION, BECOMES RACING ROYALTY.â€� The champion, the superstar â€' LEAP TO FAME â€' is now a dual Inter Dominion winner after dominating the $1 million Grand Circuit feature on home turf. What. A. Horse! 🌟 #QLDisRacing — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) July 19, 2025 • This year's Inter Dominion was condensed from four to three nights of racing – two rounds of heats into finals. Average betting per race across the three nights compared to the 2023 series grew by 20.2 per cent from $446,000 to $536,000. 'It was terrific to see really strong figures around the trotting races, too. It really vindicates running the pacing and trotting series' together,' Clarke said. Favourites won both finals with Leap To Fame at $1.22 and Victorian star Arcee Phoenix backed into $2.60 in the trotting final. Albion Park chairman Greg Mitchell said a full review was planned despite the strong wagering results. 'We're obviously thrilled with the wagering figures, but the people came along, too. We had a record modern crowd on the final night. 'When you've got such a big event for three years, you can and must always learn from year one,' he said. 'We know we didn't get everything right and we're taking all the feedback on-board as part of our review.' He's done it again! Hear from Grant Dixon after Leap To Fame's Inter Dominion Pacing Grand Final win, and the crowd just love it! 🥳 @TheCreekAlbion @RaceQLD — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 19, 2025 One of the major talking points was the marathon 3157m distance for the finals. 'Whether we need them that far or 2680m is far enough will be something we look seriously at,' Mitchell said. But Mitchell backed the innovative 'bonus points' system used for the first time in Brisbane and which enabled star Kiwi veteran Oscar Bonavena to make the trotting final and finish a huge third. 'You want the best horses getting into the finals and by reducing the number of heats from three to two, it's important we have mechanisms for unlucky horses to get extra points when it matters,' he said. 'We're committed to the bonus points, but that's not to say we won't tinker with how they work.'
