The pace bowler how has 15 wickets in two Sheffield Shield matches this season
Following his five-wicket haul on the final day he was reluctant to talk himself up too much. “It would be very nice to be recognised like that…all I can do is control what I’m doing,” he said. “You’d have to ask [national selector] George [Bailey], but think I’d be there or thereabouts but it’s not up to me.”
One of the hallmarks of his recent performances has been his ability to take wickets on flat surfaces or with an older ball. Last season he toiled magnificently on flat Adelaide wickets, and in the early stages this summer was a constant threat on a Drummoyne Oval surface that had less life for the quicks the longer the game went on.
In this latest match at the MCG, although there was always more on offer for the quicks in what was an excellent pitch, his delivery with a 62-over old ball to remove Jack Edwards and break a lengthy stand was another example.
“I know there’s so many good fast bowlers around it’s going to be hard for me to get a crack but all I can do is keeping doing what I’ve been doing for the last few years and if the opportunity comes I’ll be really happy,” Boland said earlier in the game.
His captain Peter Handscomb was more than willing to push his claims. “I’m happy to talk about Scotty for as long as you want,” he said. “He’s been doing this for five, sixers years, it’s nothing new. It’s incredible bowling, his figures speak for themselves. He comes out here today, breaks the game open and wins it for us in the last hour.
“I’d love to see him have a crack at that next level. He’s been ready for a couple of years so if that moment does come for him I’m sure he’ll grab it with both hands and show what Australia what he’s been doing for us for a long time.”
Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo