Scott Boland added another milestone to his Test career on Tuesday, October 20, as he became the second-oldest Australian fast bowler to take a five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
The 37-year-old achieved the feat during the ongoing second Test against South Africa at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. Boland dismissed Marco Jansen in the post-lunch session to complete his five-wicket haul in the first innings.
Boland was brought into Australia’s playing XI in place of Nathan Lyon for the match. He picked up two wickets on each of the first two days before adding to his tally on Tuesday in the rain-affected contest.
Frank Laver Holds the Record Among Australian Pacers
Boland is second on the list of Australia’s oldest fast bowlers to take five wickets in a Test innings. The record belongs to Frank Laver, who achieved the feat against England in Manchester in July 1909.
Laver was 39 years and 231 days old when he took eight wickets for just 31 runs in England’s first innings. Boland, aged 37 years and 190 days at the start of the ongoing Test, is now second on the list.
Former Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath holds the third position. He took six wickets for 50 runs against England in Brisbane in November 2006 at the age of 36 years and 287 days.
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Keith Miller also features twice on the list for his five-wicket hauls against England at Lord’s in June 1956. He was 36 years and 206 days old at the start of that Test.
Oldest Australian Fast Bowlers to Take a Five-Wicket Haul in Tests
Player | Age at Start of Test | Wickets | Opposition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Frank Laver | 39 years, 231 days | 8/31 | England | Manchester |
Scott Boland | 37 years, 190 days | 5/57* | South Africa | Gqeberha |
Glenn McGrath | 36 years, 287 days | 6/50 | England | Brisbane |
Keith Miller | 36 years, 206 days | 5/72 | England | Lord’s |
Keith Miller | 36 years, 206 days | 5/80 | England | Lord’s |
Boland’s figures are from the ongoing Test.
Bert Ironmonger Holds Australia’s Overall Record
While Boland has made history among Australian fast bowlers, the overall record for the oldest Australian bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a Test belongs to Bert Ironmonger.
Ironmonger was 49 years and 311 days old when he took five wickets for six runs in the first innings against South Africa in Melbourne in February 1932. He followed that performance with six wickets for 18 runs in the second innings.
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He also took five wickets for 42 runs against South Africa in Brisbane in November 1931, aged 49 years and 234 days.
Ironmonger’s remarkable record makes him the oldest bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Sydney Barnes Leads Among Fast Bowlers Worldwide
Boland’s achievement also brings attention to a remarkable record in the history of Test cricket. England’s Sydney Barnes remains the oldest fast bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a Test.
Barnes was 40 years and 301 days old when he took seven wickets in each innings against South Africa in Durban in February 1914. He claimed several five-wicket hauls after turning 40, underlining his longevity at the highest level.
South Africa’s Geoff Chubb is the only other fast bowler listed with five-wicket hauls in Tests after reaching the age of 40. He took six wickets for 51 runs against England in Manchester in July 1951, aged 40 years and 84 days.
James Anderson Holds the WTC Record
The record for the oldest bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a World Test Championship match belongs to former England pacer James Anderson.
Anderson was 39 years and 336 days old at the start of the Birmingham Test against India in July 2022. He took five wickets for 60 runs in India’s first innings.
Anderson finished his Test career with 704 wickets from 188 matches, establishing himself as one of the most successful fast bowlers in the history of the format.