Boland joins Durham for 2024
Australia seamer available for newly promoted club until end of July
ESPNcricinfo staff
19-Oct-2023
Scott Boland enjoyed a stunning Test debut • Associated Press
Scott Boland will join newly promoted Durham for the 2024 County Championship and T20 Blast.
Boland, the 34-year-old Australia seamer, is available for the club until the end of July, meaning he can play the first half of the Championship season as well as Blast fixtures.
Boland enjoyed a memorable Test debut during the 2021-22 Ashes, returning figures of 6 for 7 as he ripped through England's line-up in the space of just 21 balls on his home ground in Melbourne. He went on to bag 18 wickets for the series and has now played 10 Tests, claiming 35 wickets in all - including five during Australia's 209-run victory over India in the 2023 World Test Championship final. He has also played 14 ODIs and three T20Is.
He has amassed 349 first-class wickets with a best of 7 for 31 powering Victoria to a Sheffield Shield win over Western Australia in 2015. Boland is part of the Melbourne Stars team in the Big Bash League and has 75 wickets in T20s.
"I'm very excited to be joining Durham for the upcoming season," Boland said. "After achieving promotion in 2023 I'm keen to add my skills to an already strong squad and help Durham contend for the Championship in Division 1.
"I'm eager to join a strong bowling group and work alongside some new faces. I feel the time is right for me to play county cricket, I've always wanted to and am grateful for Durham for giving me the opportunity."
Durham were the runaway Division Two leaders in this year's Championship, securing promotion seven years after they were relegated from the top flight over financial issues.
Marcus North, Durham's Australian director of cricket, said: "Scott is a huge signing for us as we look to challenge in Division 1 next season. A proven International quick bowler was something we identified to further strengthen our fast-bowling group. Scott is someone who we have been talking to for some time and to have secured the signature of one of the best international bowlers outside of the T20 World Cup shows Durham Cricket's intent moving into 2024."