Boland Takes 4-31 in Gqeberha as His Test Average Becomes Best Since World War II
Scott Boland took 4 for 31 as Australia dominated a rain-hit second Test against South Africa at St George's Park in Gqeberha. South Africa were 97 for 5 at stumps on the second day, Monday, October 19. The performance also took Boland's Test bowling average to 18.08, the best by any bowler since the Second World War (minimum 50 wickets).
Australia won the first Test by 214 runs and lead the series 1-0. For the second Test, they chose an all-seam attack and dropped spinner Nathan Lyon, which brought Boland into the side. He said he found out he was in the XI only minutes before the toss. It was his first Test since January, and he had not played a first-class match since March.
On the first day, which was heavily affected by rain, Boland struck twice in two balls. He bowled Aiden Markram for 11 and then removed David Bedingham for a duck with the very next delivery, leaving South Africa 20 for 2 from 12.2 overs.
Play resumed on the second afternoon after the first two sessions were washed out. Boland added debutant opener Marques Ackerman, who was caught behind by Alex Carey for 6 after defending for 38 balls. South Africa slipped to 40 for 4, before captain Temba Bavuma, who finished unbeaten on 41, and Ryan Rickelton put on 52 for the fifth wicket. Rickelton had been dropped on 26 by Marnus Labuschagne, but late in the day Boland had him caught one-handed at slip by Matt Renshaw for 31.
Boland's 4-31 from 14 overs is the best Test return of his career against South Africa. The four wickets took his overall tally to 86 Test wickets. South Africa's assistant coach Ashwell Prince compared him to Vernon Philander, who took 224 Test wickets at 22.32. Prince said Boland rarely misses his spot, and that his height means the ball is always around the top of off stump.
At 37, Boland is also Australia's oldest frontline fast bowler since the 1960s. South Africa are the reigning World Test champions after beating Australia in the 2025 final, but they struggled against the Australian seamers in Gqeberha.