The debut of Scott Boland, just the fourth Indigenous Australian to play Test cricket, was disappointing only in its brevity.
There is scarcely a poet, living or dead, who could have scripted two more twisting and wondrous days.
Boland’s first innings, admirable if unremarkable, was eclipsed by the skill of Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon, England’s general batting incompetence, and, again, Joe Root’s magic lone hand.
The welcome to country before play acknowledged the significance of Boland’s presence in the side and, movingly, the crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground rose in applause to affirm his acceptance in the side.
That on Days 2 and 3 he transformed into an unstoppable force tearing through the top, middle, and lower order of England’s increasingly hapless batting gave the crowd more and more occasions to cheer a local hero.
Boland was player of the match, meaning he was awarded the Johnny Mullagh Medal, named for a member of the Indigenous side that toured England in the 19th century.
Scott Boland claims the inaugural Johnny Mullagh Medal. (Photo by Darrian Traynor – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
This is not to obscure the ugly relationship between Australian cricket, and Australia, and Aboriginal Australians.
Johnny Mullagh, a colonial name, was in fact Unarrimin, and he and Murrumgunarrim (Twopenny, another colonial name) played one first-class match each.
The second most famous Aboriginal cricketer of the 20th century, Eddie Gilbert, was a fearsome fast bowler, who along with Jack Marsh and Alec Henry was forced out of the game by dubious claims of suspect bowling actions.
Gilbert’s last match was in 1936. Jason Gillespie’s first for South Australia was in 1995. That’s 59 years where just two more Indigenous Australians played first-class cricket.
Things are getting better, and white-ball cricket has afforded more opportunities.
Boland joins Gillespie as one of two Indigenous men to play Test cricket for Australia. Faith Thomas and Ashleigh Gardner are the two women. Though compared to rugby league and Australian rules football, cricket is decades behind.
So, while things are getting better, the ugly relationship that persists today shouldn’t be forgotten.
It wasn’t too long ago that the crowd at the MCG was booing Adam Goodes out of AFL for advocating for his people and displaying pride in his culture and history.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Perhaps when we are up against the ‘old enemy’ our partisanship can bring us together.
But, more recently than the Goodes saga, the same MCG crowd racially abused India’s cricketers.
We can enjoy these days, when the embrace of Boland shows an evolving social psyche, but we can only do so if we confront and challenge the recent past. Otherwise, it is depressingly superficial and our society is stagnant.
Pleasingly, Boland’s debut is just one of many bright spots in a rejuvenating summer for Australian cricket.
While this is, despite the presence of Joe Root and James Anderson, a weak English side, Australia is now beginning to look equal to the sum of their parts.
The last three years have been frustrating because the results do not reflect the numbers that individuals produce.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
With three batters averaging over 45, and two of them over 60, in a tough batting era, coupled with three bowlers averaging under 28, plus a spinner who now has 400 wickets, the lack of achievement has been puzzling.
The drawn Ashes series in 2019 is a prime example. Australia were clearly the better side. Australia scored more runs and bowled better. Anderson broke down after three balls on the first morning.
Still, at the crucial moments, at Headingley and in preparing for the Oval, lack of application or – worse – complacency and hubris lost them two Tests they should have won.
From the same position, New Zealand or India would have won at Headingley, at least.
There will certainly be tougher series for Pat Cummins and co. With three sub-continent series on the horizon, they will come soon.
But this series has shown that if Steve Smith doesn’t turn up, Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner will. If not them, Travis Head.
Alex Carey has looked comfortable, and in this match it was the troubled Marcus Harris, with help from the tail, who got Australia above 250.
Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon have quickly brushed off the troubles of last summer.
(Photo by Daniel Pockett – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
Cummins has shown he is a living legend. Cameron Green’s bowling allows Australia to play three quicks and two spinners in Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka, if we can find a second spinner. When his batting clicks, he will be a superstar.
All this has been achieved with Josh Hazlewood playing effectively half a Test match. Jhye Richardson, Michael Neser and Boland have all shown there is good depth in the bowling stocks and there can be less angst about rotation and injuries.
Australia is not there yet. They’re on their home turf, running on the high of an unlikely World Cup triumph and, if we’re honest, this was never going to be a close series when England’s third highest run scorer for the year is sundries.
This looks like a well-drilled Australian team now playing as a team that at least is equal to the sum of its parts. That year off has given Australia a much-needed new start.
Micko
Roar Rookie
I can't figure that out either.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
ashes retained Paul. Lyon the go to spinner but look closely at his average at scg it isn’t very good at all . an average of 42 is in fact very bad there and I’m not underestimating Gary and his tying up the ends and bowling long overs and changes. but swepson could do much the same and may be the better option at scg in fact . he couldn’t do much worse than an average of 42 there . I’d have lyon straight back in at Hobart he loves the pink ball but really it’s mostly about the bounce in wickets making Lyon much more potent . harder to get abbot in but not really Paul they bought Boland in left of field and it worked and abbot has been sensational again in shield and home pitch. very lucky to have two test matches with the urn retained . we should utilise these two tests as vital opportunities given the lack of red ball cricket. it’s also a shame a new opener can’t get one match in as well . Harris was great st home pitch but we will need to look at street or hunt sooner or later with foreign tours coming and not convinced on warner and harris abroad at all . we may have a slight false sense of security after beating a weak English side on home soil this summer . we have huge tests ahead of us in 2022 which may find out some of the cracks with openers and starc/Lyon on Subcontinent . starc and Hazelwood may need resting or rotation on subcontinent and my feel is Richardson neser and abbot are the three go to bowlers abroad right now . Boland and steketee have wonderful assests as well but subcontinent is a different cup of tea . how great would it be for abbot and swepson to get a test under their belt at scg and get their confidence up . I really don’t mind going with Cummins Richardson abbot and swepson at scg but I’m guessing the selectors and others won’t see it that way and want more of the same. notice that Boland worked st mcg and Richardson worked st Adelaide. rotations have helped us this series . this is huge preparation time for the talented squad depth we have .
Paul
Roar Guru
tough to see Abbott getting a game and I'd love to see Swepson in somewhere but not real sure where? It's tough to overestimate just how important Lyon's role is to this bowling group. When he was down on form & luck last summer, we saw the results, so I'm guessing the selectors will want to play him every game they can. Still, I'd love to see Swepson rip a few past batsment in a test this summer.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
can throw abbot in there he’s actually a guy that is a specialist at scg . much like Boland at mcg . why not give that guy who has been through so much a test debut especially given the series has been won . same goes with swepson (Lyon has a poor average of 42 at scg from memory ) . Lyon starc to come back for Hobart of course . I’d quite like to see Sydney play Cummins , abbot , Richardson swepson . a great opportunity before subcontinent tours and all deserve matches on their merrits . I think at Hobart I’d return to the traditional quartet actually (starc Lyon and Hazelwood back in if fit if not Richardson at Hobart) . day night pink test match suits the prime quartet (Cummins Hazelwood starc Lyon ) very very well as proven time after time at Adelaide dn matches . rotation at mcg and scg makes perfect sense given the prime quartet have struggled at mcg in last four years (although Cummins bowls well anywhere) and at scg Lyon and starc are more questionable given their averages there as opposed to all other pitches in aus where they are simply superb on the bouncier pitches.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
don't fall for the trolls antics Paul
Pierro
Roar Rookie
I’d agree Boland and starc in for Hobart . I’d tend to go cummins, Hazelwood (if not fit Richardson ) and abbot at scg . Taylor is calling for swepson to play at scg but as part of two spinners . I’m pretty sure scg is just not made for two spinners anymore . what selectors should bravely do is rest Lyon who has an average over 40 at scg from memory . Lyon and starc to play Hobart . I think it would be a huge sign of selector rotation policy growth ahead of India and Pakistan tours . perfect opportunity for swepson as we will need to play two spinners in India or Sri Lanka . however If they selected swepson and abbot I’d fall off my seat as doubt they will have the conviction to give abbot and swepson invaluable test experience after having won the series .
Saint Peter
Guest
Yes CA do not appear to be doing anything worthwhile in developing our Indigenous Players like footy & rugby does. Unfortunately, the culture will not change whilst the Board administer the game as they currently do. It has amazed me for years why Indigenous people are not getting into the Aussie Team & even the Shield teams. Why hasn't Jason Gillespie been given a coaching role at the highest level? I also agree they should have used his proper name Unarrimin & then provide a story if people needed it to understand, for the trophy. Boards in all areas are happy to show token efforts but no real substance towards Indigenous people. Having said all that great to see what Boland did.
Philip
Guest
To say England was hopeless is to undervalue the excellence of Australia's all round performance. Having won the Ashes, Australia needs to build for the future, with tours in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. England is always more difficult to beat at home. Australia hasn't won a series over there since 2001. So let's better understand the talent we have by rotating the present squad plus Boland. His outstanding performance must not be swept aside as 'one-off'. Bellerive would probably suit Scott better than Sydney, where spinner Swepson should bowl. Usman Khawaja's skill against spin could also be valuable on the sub-continent.
Paul
Roar Guru
If you were truly proud to be black, you'd have written at least one positive comment about Boland's outstanding achievement in a) getting selected to play for Australia and b) delivering a match winning performance.
KenW
Roar Rookie
OK confirmed, good to know.
Paul
Roar Guru
the colour of who's skin?
Paul
Roar Guru
excellent comment Pierro. I'd rest Boland for the SCG but play him in Hobart. Jackson Bird, who's a similar type of bowler, has had pretty good success down there playing for Tassie, so I can see Boland coming bac for that game.
ProudToBeBlack
Guest
Picking on a black fella. Well done. We’ve had worse labels over the years
KenW
Roar Rookie
Suspecting you're a troll, with a guest account and an obvious motif. Boland's skin colour was celebrated this week, his success trumpeted and the impact of his selection and performance on young Indigenous fans extensively discussed. All rightly so. It's worth celebrating, acknowledging the problems of the past and the promise of the future. None of that changes the fact that Boland is not replacing Cummins, Hazelwood or Starc because he had 1 good game on debut against a sub-standard opponent.
Micko
Roar Rookie
What?! :shocked:
ProudToBeBlack
Guest
Yeah right. The only conspiracy here is the colour of his skin.
KenW
Roar Rookie
No I don't think racism plays a part in modern selection either. Historically though the small number of Indigenous cricketers that have made it through suggests that there were massive barriers. As we see in all parts of society (with race, sex, etc), historical barriers can impact for generations after the walls are removed. It's why Boland's inclusion is being celebrated here - whereas in the football codes it wouldn't be worthy of a mention. In RL for example, Beetson was the Australian captain 50 years ago and in the half century since a team without an Indigenous player would be far more unusual than the reverse. In terms of performance Australia's easy first choice fast-bowling attack is Cummins, Hazelwood & Starc. Richardson, Neser and Boland have all acquitted themselves very well when given a chance - Boland especially. Selectors won't be concerned about resting anyone that shows some wear. Can't imagine the selectors pulling in another spinner for Sydney though, when the fast bowlers have England so completely on the ropes.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Hazelwood is a top 5 bowler in the world, has been for a few seasons, and is at the peak of his career. Boland did great on debut and clearly staked his claim, but his current role is injury replacement for a crack fast-bowling unit where all 3 incumbents are ranked Top 10 in the worldwide bowler rankings. Hazelwood isn't being left out because Boland had 1 good game, and that's not a conspiracy.
Graham
Roar Rookie
Sorry but this is ridiculous. Racism plays no part in the selection of modern cricket players in Australia. It may have been a thing in the past but now all you you need is talent, form and to be honest a fair bit of luck to get the selector's nod. Boland deserves another match in Sydney but so do Starc, Richardson and Hazelwood. At least two of those players are going to be disappointed. Actually if I had my way three of them would miss out because I would like to see a spot for Swepson. Australia shouldn't get too carried away with its bowling performances against England. My grandma could probably knock over most of the English top order.
robertbrob13226
Roar Rookie
Rotation policy ; Yes they all been over bowled ;