World Test Championship, Day 2: Scott Boland takes astonishing wicket

Aussie Scott Boland has added to his fairy tale legend with his big moment leaving a batter and the world dumbfounded.

Australia has India on the ropes in the World Test Championship final after a bowling unit masterclass on Friday morning.

The Aussies are on the verge of exposing India’s tail with a lead of 318 runs following a first innings score of 469.

Perhaps the biggest blow for India was the dismissal of Ravi Jadeja late in the day, leaving them 5/151.

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It was a one-two punch from Pat Cummins and Scott Boland that immediately rocked India — a perfect start after Steve Smith (121) and Travis Head (163) showed they will have no troubles in the English conditions this tour.

All five Aussie bowlers took a wicket.

Boland starred in the opening overs, following Pat Cummins’ suit when he dismissed Rohit Sharma LBW for 15, by bowling Shubman Gill, who didn’t play a shot only to be bowled.

India suddenly went from 0/30 to 2/30.

Bizarrely, Cameron Green’s wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara a short time later was a near carbon copy of the ball Boland bowled for his dismissal with Pujara failing to offer a shot.

Boland’s, however, was a masterpiece.

Scott Boland has done it again. Photo: Getty Images

The Aussie quick debuted at the age of 32 and hasn’t looked back, snaring his first overseas wicket with figures of one wicket for no runs in his first three overs on Friday.

A perfect ball saw Gill shoulder arms, only to see his castle rocked.

It was the 34-year-old’s 29th wicket and pushes his average back under 13.

Astonishing details have emerged about the delivery that left Gill in disbelief.

According to numbers from cricket analyst CricViz’s database, the ball was the 10th most threatening delivery an Aussie has bowled in England since the stat began to be recorded in 2006.

The ball from Boland to dismiss Gill had a 33% chance of taking a wicket re our Expected Wickets at @CricViz. That's the most threatening ball bowled in the game so far, and the 10th most threatening bowled by an Aussie in England since 2006, when tracking was first available. pic.twitter.com/2gUyoiyEP0

— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) June 8, 2023

According to CricViz's Expected Wickets model, the delivery with which Scott Boland got Shubman Gill would have taken a wicket 33 per cent of the time 😮#AUSvIND#WTCFinalhttps://t.co/nc9DHl6xOX

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) June 8, 2023

KNOCKED HIM OVER.

Scott Boland doing things again!#WTC23 | https://t.co/CAC5IeY420pic.twitter.com/BAX1rUgh9N

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) June 8, 2023

“We are in a really good spot so hopefully we can get a few more wickets in the morning,” Boland told Sky Sports.

“The pitch is going a little bit up and down so it should be harder for the India batters tomorrow (Friday).”

Mitchell Starc joined the party with a sharp bouncing ball catching the top of Virat Kohli’s bat with Steve Smith taking a high catch in the slips.

Unfortunately for Australia, Cummins missed a golden opportunity to dismiss Ajinkya Rahane despite trapping the Indian veteran in front.

He had also overstepped for his fourth no ball of the innings.

Pat Cummins may come to rue that moment. Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP

It was close but no cigar for Pat Cummins. Photo: Channel 7

Earlier in the day’s play it was former coach Justin Langer that was the kiss of death. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill got India off to a rollicking start to their innings, racing to 0/30 off 5.5 overs

It turns out the only thing that could get in the way was a commentator’s curse.

And it was Justin Langer that stepped up.

In commentary for the host broadcaster, Langer was all praise for the Indian openers.

“I’m a red-blooded Australian but I’m not mad enough not to admit I love watching Rohit Sharma bat,” Langer said.

“There is a lot talked about of young Gill. I haven’t seen as much of him. But Rohit Sharma, I love watching him bat.

“Both of these batters, the veteran and the apprentice, just absolutely stunning to watch as an opening pair.”

So of course both men were dismissed within six balls.

The WTC is the only major men’s cricket trophy Australia have yet to win. India are appearing in their second WTC final, having lost to New Zealand in the inaugural 2021 showpiece match in Southampton.