Scott Boland

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.