Scott Boland produces another glittering Test cameo with a hat-trick against West Indies

News.com.au

18 hours ago

His restrained celebration may have said it all.
Scott Boland celebrated his hat-trick on the third day of the third Test against West Indies as if it was a routine wicket for Victoria at the Junction Oval.
After knocking over Jomel Warrican, Boland coolly raised a finger in his follow through and rejoiced with teammates.
Perhaps emblematic of the player, there was no solo acceleration to the vacant outfield or 'me time'.
'I don't really know what to make of it, we were just saying it was celebrating just like it was a normal wicket but it was a hat-trick,' Australian captain Pat Cummins said with a laugh.
Boland has not put a foot wrong in the Test arena with 62 wickets at an average of 16.53.
But his selection for the third Test over spinner Nathan Lyon marks just the second time he has been given the nod over a fit player.
And despite another glittering performance, the nature of Boland's status among the generational Aussie bowling quartet will likely have him on the outer for the Ashes opener in Perth.
Cummins said 'I'd say never say never, but (it's) pretty unlikely' when asked if the Aussies would implement the four-quick tactic again.
Boland had accepted his 14th Test, a first alongside the three Aussie quicks, was 'probably going to be a one-off' before his final-day heroics.
'Probably not; you can see when 'Gaz' (Nathan Lyon) bowls with the pink ball, especially in Adelaide, he gets it to bounce and spin a lot,' he said earlier in the Test.
'It's probably going to be a one-off. I'd like to play as many games as I could – especially with those three guys.
'But I probably see it going back, especially once we get 'Greeny' (Cameron Green) back bowling for the summer.'
Former Test opener and Boland's Victorian coach, Chris Rogers, last week told NewsWire the seamer would 'have peace' knowing he was a star at the highest level.
'You just had to bide your time, wait for your opportunities and take them when you can – that's all you can control,' Rogers said.
'I will say for Scotty it would be frustrating but equally at least he's had the opportunity, shown he's good enough
'He'll reflect back and say, 'I was good enough at that level, there were just three other bowlers who were exceptional at the same time'. He'll have peace with that.
'It'll still be frustrating, but he knows every time he gets the ball in his hand he has to be amazing and he is. I think that's the credit to him.'
Boland has often spoken about his readiness to play every Test despite being an unlikely selection.
Rogers said that enthusiasm about the game filtered to all levels.
'I think the thing about Scotty, and what you want other players to see, is his floor is almost the same height as his ceiling,' he said.
'That's what being a professional is about and he does that because he is a fantastic professional.
'For Victoria, every time you have him in it's almost like grab a bunch of the bowlers and look what he's doing – he's amazing when we have him around.
'The interesting thing about him is he will be messaging me or the bowling coach every half an hour during the games when he's watching on TV.
'You know (asking), 'What's happening? Maybe we should be doing this'. He's fully engaged and so committed … that's exactly what you want from one of your players and leaders.'