Australian fast bowler Scott Boland has etched his name in cricket history, becoming the 49th player overall and the 12th Australian to claim a hat-trick in Test cricket.
Boland’s Brilliant Spell
The remarkable feat unfolded recently during Australia’s third Test against the West Indies at Sabina Park in Kingston. Boland’s heroics helped Australia secure a dominant 176-run victory, completing a 3-0 clean sweep in the pink-ball series.
In the second innings, with West Indies already reeling at 26 for six while chasing 204, Boland stepped up. Bowling just his second over, he dismantled the West Indies lower-order, leaving them staring at their lowest Test total.
His hat-trick began with the wicket of Justin Greaves, caught at second slip. Greaves’ 11 runs were surprisingly the highest score for West Indies in the innings. Next, Boland trapped No. 9 batter Shamar Joseph plumb in front.
The final delivery of the hat-trick was a beauty, a slower ball that cleaned up vice-captain Jomel Warrican. This trio of wickets sent shivers down the West Indies lineup, who were eventually bowled out for an embarrassing 27 runs.
West Indies Collapse
Before Boland’s magic, it was fellow Australian quick Mitchell Starc who initiated the West Indies collapse. Starc’s fiery opening spell saw the Caribbean side plummet to 11 for six, as he secured a five-wicket haul in just 15 deliveries.
The combined pressure from Starc and Boland proved too much for the young West Indies team, leading to one of their lowest totals in Test history.
A Rare Feat in Test Cricket
Hat-tricks are a special occurrence in Test cricket, signifying a bowler’s precision and skill. Scott Boland’s achievement marks the second hat-trick this year in Tests, following Pakistan’s Noman Ali, who also achieved the feat against West Indies earlier in January.
The first-ever hat-trick in Test cricket dates back to 1879, recorded by Australia’s Fred Spofforth against England.
Indian cricket has also seen three bowlers achieve this milestone: Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Jasprit Bumrah.
- Scott Boland is the 49th bowler globally to take a Test hat-trick.
- He is the 12th Australian bowler to achieve this rare feat.
- Boland’s hat-trick helped Australia to a dominant 176-run win over West Indies.
- This is the second Test hat-trick of the year, following Noman Ali’s earlier in January.
Boland’s performance adds another memorable chapter to the history of Test cricket, highlighting the excitement and drama the sport continues to deliver.
