Australia’s dependable quick Scott Boland found himself under the spotlight on day one of the Ashes opener in Perth, as England unleashed their trademark aggression and forced an unusually shaky start from the bowler often hailed for his precision.
The scenes prompted cricket great Mark Waugh to express rare surprise, describing Boland’s early spell as the “loosest” he has ever bowled in Test cricket.
Boland, celebrated for his outstanding record on Australian pitches, was expected to thrive on the lively Perth surface.
Many had marked him as a major threat to England’s batting order, especially given his usual control, accuracy and ability to hit the ideal length repeatedly. But England, sticking firmly to their ‘Bazball’ style, gave him no time to settle.
The opening day also came with attention on squad changes, including the selection news that Weatherald and Doggett were set for their debuts.
Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope wasted no deliveries, attacking Boland from the moment he was handed the ball.
Instead of being allowed to find his rhythm, something Australian fans have grown accustomed to, Boland was pushed onto the back foot, his first four overs disappearing for 29 runs.
The usually calm Waugh didn’t hide his reaction to what he saw, saying it was the “Loosest three overs I’ve seen him bowl in his whole Test career.”
While Mitchell Starc tore through England’s top order with the dismissals of Zac Crawley, Ben Duckett and Joe Root, Boland struggled to mirror that success.
And with debutant Brendan Doggett still adjusting to Test cricket and Cameron Green working back to full fitness, the pressure for Boland to deliver early in the Ashes series only grew heavier.
Confidence Remains Despite Early Wobble
Even after the rough start, there is no shortage of faith in Scott Boland’s ability to turn things around. Many who know his journey well believe he will find his rhythm and become a major force across the Ashes series.
SEN commentator Bryce McGain was especially upbeat before the Perth Test.
“Boland is going to have a mighty series. He is just about bulletproof… It’ll be 25 wickets plus for Scotty this series; he is going to be dynamic,” McGain said.
Former coach Nick Jewell also expects Boland to deliver a statement performance.
“His transformation over two years was hard to believe. He is almost like a hired assassin… You very rarely see a change in his attitude or demeanour, whether it is going good or bad,” Jewell.
Jewell praised Boland’s mental strength, an attribute that has shaped his rise from domestic regular to one of Australia’s most reliable Test bowlers.
Boland Opens Up on Handling Pressure
Before the first Test began, Scott Boland admitted he had put a lot of work into managing his mindset when the pressure ramps up, especially against England’s rapid-scoring approach.
“I know there’s going to be spells where, even the other day I was going for five or six an over,” he said.
“I think I’m getting better at managing my mind around all that stuff… Sometimes when you’re used to going for two and over in Shield games, you can look up and be going for five or six, and it’s a bit different.”
He added that trusting himself during difficult moments has become an important part of his game.
“It gives me confidence that if I’m not quite at my best, I can still find it during a day or during a spell.”
Crucial Moments Ahead for Australia
England’s early plan to unsettle Boland is clear: don’t let him dictate the pace or settle into the relentless accuracy that makes him so dangerous.
For Australia, the mission now is to help Boland rediscover his usual rhythm and apply pressure back on England’s line-up.
With the Ashes still in its infancy and plenty of cricket to come, the next few sessions could be pivotal not just for Boland but for Australia’s fast-bowling unit as a whole.
What is certain is that this lively start has injected even more fire into an already intense Australia-England rivalry, and Boland’s response will be closely watched.
