![Scott Boland scored 40 (166) at Gqeberha [Source: AP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1792677035122_ScottBolandAUSvsSABatting.jpg?type=hq)
Scott Boland scored 40 (166) at Gqeberha [Source: AP]
Scott Boland showed incredible temperament with the bat on the final day of the Gqeberha Test against South Africa, as Australia looked to salvage a draw. Usually a number 10 batter, Boland's batting was in the spotlight across both innings, after he was used as a night watchman on Day 3 and Day 4.
The batter did not disappoint in the second innings. Not only did Boland do his job by playing out the final minutes of the day like in the first innings, but also extended his stay at the crease for almost 30 overs. He finished with 40 off 166 and claimed the top place in a special record.
Boland breaks Thomson’s 60-year-old record at Gqeberha
In response to South Africa’s first-innings total of 425/9 (d), Australia got bundled for 99 run only on Day 4 of the Gqeberha Test and the hosts enforced the follow-on. Having batted earlier on the day as well, Scott Boland was once again needed to step onto cover for his batters towards the Stumps.
He walked in at 6, when the score was 150/4 and showed great resistance till the final session of Day 5. In the process, he stitched a 59(162) partnership with the centurion Travis Head, followed by 16(45) and 31(79) run stands with Steve Smith and Alex Carey, respectively.
He was cleaned up by Wiaan Mulder, who bowled from over the wicket and got the ball to deviate significantly through his defence. Boland scored 40 off 166 balls, the highest score by a nightwatchman at Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth.
The Australian pacer surpassed Ian Thomson’s record of 39, set during the fifth Test of England’s 1965 tour of South Africa.
Boland's all-round show on comeback
Being the fourth seamer of the team, after the untouchable trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, the Victorian bowler found himself out of the playing XI for the first Test in Durban. Despite the win in the first Test, Australia decided to change their winning combination and roped him in for Nathan Lyon.
In an all-pace attack, Boland took the headlines with a brilliant 5/81, as Australia's best bowler in the first innings. Later, he was asked to bat high up the order to protect the batters and did his job perfectly. Nonetheless, it remains to be seen whether the pacer will play the third Test in Cape Town after the hosts levelled the series with a win by an innings and 31 runs.
