Australia retained the Ashes 2021-22 with a series-clinching inning and 14-run victory over England in the third Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday. Debutant Scott Boland shined with the ball in the second innings, taking a six-wicket haul for just seven runs to help hosts bundle out visitors for a mere 68.
England began Day 3 at their overnight score of 31/4 with hopes of several English fans pinned on captain Joe Root and all-rounder Ben Stokes to stop the Aussie carnage that started in the final stages of Day 2.
However, Mitchell Starc, who destroyed England’s top-order on Day 2, drew the first blood on the third day as well when he cleaned up Stokes for 11. The dismissal of Stokes opened the floodgates, with Boland executing an incredible spell of fast bowling.
Boland removed Jonny Bairstow (5), followed by captain Root for 28. The Victorian then got rid of tail-enders Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson for respective ducks. All-rounder Cameron Green put the last nail in the coffin when he dismissed James Anderson to end the proceedings.
The figures from Boland were the fifth-best in Ashes history by a debutant:
- 8/43 –Albert Trott, January 1985
- 8/54 – Bob Massie, June 1972
- 8/84 – Bob Massie, June 1972
- 7/55 – Tom Kendall, March 1877
- 6/7 – Scott Boland, December 2021*
Boland’s extraordinary effort with the ball rewarded him with the coveted Johnny Mullagh Medal as he was named Player of the Match for the Boxing Day Test. The right-armer, who is only the fourth indigenous and second male cricketer to represent Australia in the longest format, said he felt ‘proud’ after receiving the medal.
“It’s something I’m very proud of now. I’ve had some messages from some mates and guys like Dan Christian, D’Arcy Short, just saying congratulations and really telling me to enjoy the moment, so it’s really nice to get messages off those guys who were on the tour with me three years ago when we went to England,” said Boland.
