Boland’s extraordinary day to have a big effect on both teams

THE ramifications of Ashes cricket’s Tumultuous Tuesday will be huge for both teams.

The knives are already out for England and they are sharp and vicious.

No England team ever gets bowled out for 68 and sneaks off without feeling a blowtorch burning their backsides.

To lose the Ashes two hours shy of the halfway point of the series was a complete embarrassment.

Australia’s domination started in the selection room.

While England were confused, compromised and as consumed by the next Test as the one they were playing, new Australian selection boss George Bailey gave clear early messages to the Australian team which helped soothe restless minds.

All of Bailey’s major moves gave him something back.

Travis Head is growing by the innings, Mitchell Starc was outstanding, Alex Carey has been steady and classy, Jyhe Richardson had exceptional moments and Scott Boland became an instant Ashes legend.

From the moment he endorsed Marcus Harris a few weeks before the series Bailey always looked like a man with a plan.

Boland was his most controversial and inspired choice in a story of many wonderful threads.

Boland’s Indigenous heritage makes it special enough but not to be forgotten is the fact he is Australia’s oldest fast bowling debutant since Geoff Noblett 71 years ago.

This is a victory for the humble craftsman, the quiet achiever, the slow roasted talent who never gave up on his baggy green dream even though it came at an age (32) when many of his craft are just starting to reach for the pipe and slippers.

In a world full of Flash Harry T20 stars who would get blown away by a decent gust of breeze what a joy it was to see a stout-hearted Steady Eddie seamer get Dennis Lillee-like receptions from his home crowd.

Boland is a quiet Indigenous man who made his Sheffield Shield debut 10 years ago but from the moment he entered camp Australian team-mates sensed he was a serene, solid professional on top of his game.

A few years ago he wasn’t even certain he would get a game for Victoria,

never mind Australia, but the tumble dryer of professional cricket had him ready for anything.

For Australia, under the relaxed yet inspiring leadership of Pat Cummins, this feels like the start of their journey rather than the summit and three subcontinental tours over the next two years will be a major measuring stick to their true progress. England, by contrast, are in crisis. They have won just one of their last 12 matches – most losing margins have been massive – and this series loss seems likely to spell the end of Joe Root’s captaincy.

INDIA’S bid to post a daunting first innings total in the first Test against South Africa suffered a blow when rain prevented any play on the second day at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Monday.

The tourists, seeking their first series win in South Africa, were in a strong position at 272 for three at the end of the first day on Sunday but were unable to build on the platform set by KL Rahul (122 not out) and the other Indian batsmen.

It was raining at the scheduled start of play on Monday but although there were some brighter intervals, further rain together with a wet outfield caused the umpires to call off play for the day in the early afternoon.

An extra half-hour or eight overs of play will be added on the remaining three days, making for a possible 98 overs a day, but Monday’s washout effectively means 66 overs have been lost.

Tuesday is predicted to be fine, but there could be thunder showers on Wednesday and Thursday.

While India’s batting was praised by commentators, including Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar, South Africa’s bowling was unimpressive.

Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi was the one exception taking all three wickets while conceding only 45 runs.

The omission of fast bowler Duanne Olivier was a major talking point on Sunday.

However, South African selection convener Victor Mpitsang explained on Monday Olivier’s preparation had been hampered by a Covid-19 infection and a slight hamstring injury.

Olivier was the form bowler of the South African domestic season leading up to the Test series, with 28 wickets at an average of 11.10 in four firstclass matches.

With his ability to intimidate batsmen with fast, shortpitched deliveries, Olivier had been expected to play a key role in the Test team, especially after Anrich Nortje, the country’s fastest bowler, was out with a hip injury.