Ashes 2025: Australian pacer Scott Boland is back at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, where he started his journey in Test Cricket. Widely labelled as one of the toughest proponents of the Australian bowling attack, Boland has appeared in 17 Test matches so far, picking up 73 wickets, possessing an incredible average of 18.27.
Boland's skill to pitch the ball at one place makes him a lethal weapon in Australian conditions. He has often got the better of batters among the likes of Joe Root and Virat Kohli. In a video released by Grasscricket on Friday, the 36-year-old pacer was asked about the toughest batter he has faced in his career.
“Rishabh Pant from India," Boland said while responding to the query.
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“He’s someone who’s very unpredictable. So, I feel like sometimes he slogs you for six and you bowl the same ball, and he blocks it. So, he is very hard to bowl to."
Interestingly, Pant was full of praise for Boland's ability during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy as he was a vital cog in the Australian bowling attack. Boland played three Tests in the series, taking 21 wickets at an average of 13.19, which was critical in Australia winning the series 3-1. He dismissed Pant twice, and the left-hander scored only 64 runs against him, averaging 32 with a strike rate of 75.3.
“I think he’s been an amazing bowler. The way he bowls line and length, especially in Test cricket, is quite difficult. He’s so used to playing in those conditions that you don’t feel like he’s just starting out. It feels like he’s been there for a long time, and that’s the kind of experience,” Pant said at the time.
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Boland Rules The Roast In Ashes 2025-26
Boland is currently at the helm of dominance against the English. During the boxing day Test at the MCG, took three wickets for 30 runs in the second, and then opened the innings as nightwatchman in the third, remaining unbeaten at 4 off 6 balls.