Scott Boland's blitz - how MCG six-for sealed Ashes
A five-for in the space of 19 deliveries, a six-wicket haul on debut - it was quite a Test for the Victorian
ESPNcricinfo staff
28-Dec-2021
Scott Boland walks off with the match ball held aloft • Getty Images
In his debut Test, Scott Boland produced a truly memorable performance on his home ground. After two in three balls rocked England on the second evening - bringing raucous approval from Bay 13 - he raced through the following morning to complete a five-wicket haul in just 19 deliveries, equalling the record for men's Tests. He then added a sixth for good measure, in just four overs, as Australia wrapped up an innings win and sealed their defence of the urn.
10.3 Hameed c Carey b Boland 7 - He's got him! Outside edge and the MCG roars for its local hero. A lovely delivery from Boland, back of a length at off stump, nips off the seam and takes a thin nick as Hameed is squared up. That's also a wicket for the work of Starc and Cummins
10.5 Leach b Boland 0 - Gone, left it alone, loses off stump! Carnage at the MCG. Round the wicket, length delivery shapes back, Leach doesn't play and the ball pings into the top of off stump. What scenes
22.5 Bairstow lbw b Boland 5 - Huge appeal! And given! A long look from umpire Wilson, that looked hugely adjacent, but Bairstow reviews. He was thumped on the knee-roll, not very far forward. No sign of an inside-edge, so this is likely to be curtains. Not sure it'll be outside the line... indeed, it's Umpire's Call! On impact and hitting the stumps. But he was beaten all ends up by the wicket-to-wicket, line and length, tailing in. No complaints about that being given!
24.4 Root c Warner b Boland 28 - Hard-handed drive, and that truly is the end of that! Angled in once more, Root flashes through the line, feeling the need to keep England moving, somehow, towards a lead. But Warner at slip clings onto a fat deflection. This is unlikely to last beyond lunch now
26.1 Wood c & b Boland 0 - Straight back to him, it's a five-wicket haul! What a match for Boland. It's a full ball at off stump, Wood comes forward to drive and just pops a return catch back down the pitch. Can you believe these figures? 3.1-1-5-5. Mind-boggling stuff
26.3 Robinson c Labuschagne b Boland 0 - Edged, taken at third slip! INCREDIBLE SCENES. SIX FOR BOLAND. Length ball outside off, Robinson props forward and it's a snaffled by Labuschagne