Scott Boland said he hoped his Boxing Day Test debut could pave the way for the next generation of Indigenous cricketers but he was nonplussed why there have been so few reach the highest level of the Australian game.
The Victorian paceman entered rare company at the MCG on Sunday when he was presented with his Baggy Green by injured star Josh Hazlewood.
Boland is only the second Indigenous man to play Test cricket for Australia, after decorated paceman Jason Gillespie.
The 32-year-old was recognised as Australia’s 463rd Test cricketer before play in a special Welcome To Country.
An Aboriginal XI famously toured England in 1868 but in the 153 years since, First Nations Australians have not always had a natural pathway into cricket.
Even though Gillespie became a genuine star to finish his decade-long international career with 259 Test wickets, it has taken another 25 years for an Indigenous man to debut.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
But Boland, who hails from the Gulidjan tribe in the Colac area of Victoria, is set to become an inspiration after reaching the pinnacle in Australian cricket.
“I’m pretty proud and my family’s very proud as well. It means a lot to join a small club and hopefully it’s just the start of something big for the Indigenous community in cricket.
“If I can be a role model for young Indigenous kids to want to play cricket… I think the Indigenous community in AFL and rugby are so big, hopefully one day the involvement of Aboriginals in cricket can be just as big.”
Boland said that although there were several males now playing in the BBL, the female Indigenous players were “coming along a lot quicker”.
“Hopefully the more male players play at the higher level the more exposure we can give to Indigenous cricket hopefully the numbers will grow.”
Ashleigh Gardner has become a staple of Australia’s women’s team, while Faith Thomas played one Test in 1958.
“Aboriginal people, where they’ve excelled, they’ve gone to sports where they feel there’s an opportunity like AFL, rugby league, boxing,” Cricket Australia’s Indigenous advisory chair Justin Mohamed said.
“For some reason, that hasn’t been seen as a genuine opportunity in cricket and that’s what we’re hoping to change.
“You hear of cricketers that have come through that came to the MCG and watched Dennis Lillee or Jeff Thomson who inspired them.
“You hear of athletes who said they saw Cathy Freeman in 2000 (at the Sydney Olympics) and that’s inspired them to be the next Olympian.
“Hopefully there will be the six, eight or 10-year-old watching something like this and saying ‘that’s what I want to do’.
“It’s a magnificent day for Scott, it’s a magnificent day for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders because he’s obviously representing himself and his family but also a representation of people who are so proud it could happen on such a significant day.”
Boland is also the first Victorian to make his Test debut in the marquee MCG Boxing Day fixture since Tony Dodemaide, who is now an Australian selector, in 1987.
The MCG crowd had no hesitation in chanting for Boland: “We love Scotty because he’s a Victorian.”
The right-arm quick claimed his first Test wicket when trapped England bowler Mark Wood lbw in the final session.
Boland finished with figures of 1-48 from 13 overs and took two outfield catches as England collapsed to be all out for 185.
“It was a really special moment this morning getting my baggy green off Josh Hazlewood,” said Boland. “Even though I’m older than him he’s someone as a bowler I look up to in and back to the quarantine we had a few weeks ago I was picking his brain and Pat Cummins brain in training as much as I could.
“To get my cap off his was really nice and I had my family there with me was really special.
“I was really nervous before my first ball. I had Nathan Lyon tell me I only had one chance to join his club of getting a wicket on his first ball but it wasn’t to be.
“With the catches I didn’t pick up the first one too well, but heading down the boundary those stands were going nuts, it was a great atmosphere.”
Boland was asked if he felt that his chances of playing for Australia had gone before his surprise call up.
“Yeah definitely,” he said. “I probably felt two or three years ago I wasn’t bowling as well as I know I could – I think just from the constant cricket I was getting really tired.
“I had to plan my off season to stay away from cricket and try and refresh my mind and body.
“Now as I get older I know what I have to do to get up for a season.”
With AAP
KenW
Roar Rookie
It's closer to a million. And of course Indigenous kids can look up to Steve Smith - I hope they do - but it's just silly to deny that seeing an Indigenous player succeed isn't going to help Indigenous kids believe they can do the same. You seem as overly sensitive with your 'distaste' as Jero was with his 'disgust'. Seriously, imagine getting worked up over something so small.
matth
Roar Guru
It was a horses for courses selection. Boland has taken 97 wickets at the MCG in first class cricket at a good average, Neser has take only 3 wickets across 4 matches there.
Jack Russell
Roar Guru
I don't find it odd any more than I do why there are so few Polynesian Australian cricketers there have been. Or Asian Australian cricketers. Just because a particular racial or cultural group is overrepresented in one sport does not mean that group will be overrepresented in every sport. If anything it means they will be under represented in other sports. There are only a few hundred thousand Indigenous Australians. To be honest, I find it a bit distasteful the implication that Indigenous Australians can't look up to Steve Smith as much as plenty of white kids look up to Nic Naitanui.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Yep. You're suggesting it's a PC selection not based on merit, when you know nothing about the merit of the player. And some still wonder why there is a problem with rac ial minorities being disadvantaged in this country. You've literally said he's only there on the basis of his race with clear inference he should not have been given a selection because of that, irrespective of his credentials as a player - which you are completely unaware of.
99luftballoons
Guest
It's pretty obvious what I'm suggesting ,I'm not trying to hide anything Jeff. What a ridiculous post.
Rossi
Roar Rookie
The indigenous love their footy too much is what it comes down to
Jeff
Roar Rookie
COMMENT 1: I’m suspicious that Chairman Dan and the Victorian addiction to all things W oke could have played a roll in his selection . COMMENT 2: Good luck to the guy I know nothing about him You know nothing about him, so your comment is that it was an Andrews/"woke" conspiracy to select him? Mate, at least TRY to hide your agenda. What a ridiculous post.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Yep, now the selectors in Oz women cricket can't drop Ash Gardner even though she has poor recent form. It's not as though there aren't better performing women out there. Selectors need to pick on form alone & not worry about colour of skin.
KenW
Roar Rookie
You don't find it odd how few indigenous cricketers we've had compared to other sports? That seems a relevant talking point when the first one in 25 years debuts. That you would describe a story quoting this player's pride, and a discussion about how it could inspire children who haven't seen themselves reflected on this stage before, as disgusting, political and akin to racial intolerance seems an incredibly weird take.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Wouldn't let me reply to Jero below. Yes agree Jero, the selectors will now have this in the back of their minds when they have to drop him, not just looking at his form. Some people will call out the selectors as r@cist when it happens. Ash Gardner is now a permanent lock in for the Oz women but her recent form has been really poor. The selectors are too scared to drop her even though there are others performing well.
99luftballoons
Guest
I'm suspicious that Chairman Dan and the Victorian addiction to all things W oke could have played a roll in his selection . Good luck to the guy I know nothing about him , but as has been pointed out , at 32 what's the point other than perhaps a pol itical flavour, as he certainly hasn't been selected as a long term prospect.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Pity the selectors didn't give Neser the same privilege at the Gabba. And he was already in the squad.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
go the vb ...Victoria needed a lift after a brutal year . great to have the test on and going well so far .
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Boland is no James Pattinson or siddle for that matter but he fielded well and bowled well enough to warrant his place
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Boland needed your validation Donny . is the disadvantage a contributor Don ? do you want to state your position ?
Gee
Roar Rookie
He might be a one and done test player but what a great test to appear in for a Victorian.
maverick
Roar Rookie
I think Neser bowled pretty well in his 1st test and should habe been retained.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
An important point...but still worth asking if disadvantage is a contibutor. Overall, I think you're right Jero, but if an indigenous person, or any achiever from a historically marginalised group thinks what they are doing is significant for that group, it is.
U
Roar Rookie
Something big? He looks to be nothing special bowling wise. He got a wicket against a very weak English side whose morale is in the toilet. Neser will probably never play another game. Boland will most likely share the same fate at his age
Jero
Guest
Really great to see Scott Boland play in the Australian side test match cricket today, but why oh why do we seriously have to continue shining the spot light on anyone if they happen to be indigenous? FFS can we just play cricket without the racial / political BS?, race should simply be of no issue. Let whomever play cricket should they be fit, skilled, passionate, interested and determined enough without the need to establish a racial facet in the game. Spotlighting race is just as disgusting as continuing to single out race with intolerance. Race, politics, or religion has no valid place in sport.