Who else but Scott Boland? The first wicket of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa just had to be taken by the Victorian. It was written in the stars.
Not since Boxing Day 2006, when Shane Warne was on the verge of 700 Test wicket, has a cricketer been treated with such overwhelming admiration. Boland was unlucky not to have another scalp in his following over. The words everyone wanted to hear echoed from the loudspeakers: “Change of bowler, Scott Boland.” Elgar tentatively prodded at a length delivery that gently rolled back into the stumps, but the bails were unmoved. Proteas captain Dean Elgar and opening partner Sarel Erwee weathered the storm, helping get South Africa’s Test match off to a promising start. In the space of 12 months, Boland has transformed himself from a relatively unknown state cricketer to a national treasure. An even bigger cheer roared from the stands when Boland retrieved the Kookaburra from deep square leg a few minutes later. Boland raised an index finger before pumping his fists. It was written in the stars. He is adored not just for his impeccable performances in Australian whites, but his soft-spoken nature and humility. [The imminent return of Josh Hazlewood](https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia-reveals-starting-xi-for-mcg-test-in-boxing-day-bombshell/news-story/c5410f967dc3c238f9faf2ee889bc8e9) threatened to rob Melbourne’s cricket fans of another opportunity to witness Boland ply his trade in the baggy green, but the New South Welshman didn’t recover from his side strain in time for Boxing Day. Every chance to represent his country is cherished.
When the former Australian coach said he would back in the MCG favourite, there was a 'murmur in the crowd'.
He is banging the door.” Indeed, the Victorian and MCG favourite has been nothing short of sensational this summer, but was suddenly facing Boxing Day heartache. “But Scott Boland, the way he is bowling, even in Josh Hazlewood was 100 per cent fit, I think the selectors would go for Hazlewood, but Scott Boland is doing everything right. “It is a good problem to have, and we have talked about that all summer - the depth of talent is fantastic in Australia at the moment. “There was a murmur in the crowd: ‘You are going to pick him instead of Josh Hazlewood?’ [well-documented fight for his place in the team](https://7news.com.au/sport/cricket/scott-boland-in-nervous-wait-as-boxing-day-heartache-looms-havent-heard-a-thing-c-9256124) with returning quick and Australian regular Josh Hazlewood.
Scott Boland statue: A 2-D statue of the Australian fast bowler was spotted at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Day 1.
In addition to just rooting for Boland, fans had also brought with them a statue of the 33-year old player to the stadium. It all happened on the 10th delivery that he bowled as South Africa opening batter Sarel Erwee (18) edged a Boland delivery to Usman Khawaja at third slip. With first-choice fast bowler Josh Hazlewood not attaining optimum fitness ahead of this match, Boland was always going to be selected to play his sixth Test.