Scott Boland ended with incredible figures of 6/7 as Australia bowled England out for 68 to win by an innings at the MCG and retain the Urn in grand style.
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When Scott Boland took two wickets in the second-last over on day 2 of England’s second innings, he had sent his home fans at the MCG into raptures. On day 3, Scott Boland produced a performance for the ages. If one thought Stuart Broad’s 8/15 at Trent Bridge in 2015 was the ultimate humiliation for Australia, then Scott Boland paid it back in kind six years later. Boland’s 6/7 decimated England for 68 as they lost by an innings and 14 runs. In grand style, Australia had retained the Ashes Urn as they went 3-0 up.
The morning began with uncertainty when the test results of the England camp were awaited after members of the backroom staff tested positive for coronavirus. But, the England players and their family members tested negative. The staff who had tested positive were kept in isolation. On day 3, for the first couple of overs, it looked like England had come out to fight.
But, Mitchell Starc blew the game wide open when he accounted for Ben Stokes. The left-arm pacer was hit for a boundary in the previous ball but the bowler got his revenge. Starc found the perfect length and got the ball to nip back in off the seam. There was a big gap between bat and pad as Stokes’ defense was breached.
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Pat Cummins and Starc were breathing fire on a pitch that was still offering some seam movement. But, the entry of Boland changed the entire course of the match. Riding on the momentum of the previous night, he started off in style with the crowd right behind him. With his first ball of the second over, Boland got an edge off Jonny Bairstow but Cameron Green dropped the catch at gully.
But, it took just four balls to make amends. He finally dismissed Bairstow with a delivery that was angled in and it nipped away late to trap him in front. Joe Root was hanging in there as he looked to go past Sir Viv Richards’ tally of 1710 runs in the calendar year. Despite copping yet another blow to his groin, he gamely carried on.
But, in Boland’s third over, the Ashes was gone from England. Boland produced the away-swinger and Root edged the delivery to David Warner at first slip to fall for 28. England was 61/7 and in danger of total humiliation. The end came rapidly. Boland sent back Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson to end with excellent figures of 6/7 in four overs. Cameron Green got the wicket of James Anderson and England was bowled out for 68.
The humiliation of England at the MCG has put Australia in prime position to inflict a 5-0 whitewash yet again. It will take a miracle to stop Australia who are on a roll. 2021 has ended in disaster for English cricket and sport. One wonders if 2022 will be any better with this current lot.
