16 Jul, 2025 | 06:38 AM

Scott Boland further cemented his place in Test cricket folklore by claiming a sensational hat-trick during Australia's emphatic win over West Indies in the third and final Test in Kingston. Despite his brilliance, the 36-year-old seamer continues to be seen as one of the unluckiest cricketers to wear the Baggy Green.

Boland’s hat-trick helped bowl the West Indies out for a paltry 27 — their second-lowest Test total in history — as Australia secured a commanding 176-run win and completed a 3-0 clean sweep of the Frank Worrell Trophy. The Victorian paceman became just the 10th Australian man to achieve a Test hat-trick, joining an elite club in the process.

While Mitchell Starc stole headlines with a devastating spell of 6 for 9, Boland’s clinical display yet again highlighted his unmatched consistency. His three wickets — Justin Greaves (caught), Shamar Joseph (lbw on review), and Jomel Warrican (bowled) — were quintessential Boland: accurate, relentless, and straight at the stumps.

"Today was three classic Scotty Boland wickets," said captain Pat Cummins. "He has spent a lot of time running drinks the past year or two, but he’s always quality when he comes in."

Since making his debut in the 2021 Boxing Day Test with a memorable 6 for 7, Boland has played just 14 of Australia’s last 39 Tests. Despite limited opportunities, he boasts staggering numbers — 16.53 average from over 50 Test wickets — the best by any bowler in the last 100 years.

Yet, selectors continue to favour the established trio of Cummins, Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, with Boland usually the one to miss out when all are fit. He has only once been picked ahead of any of the big three.

"He would have played so many more Test matches in another team," said Starc. "But every time he comes in, he is on the money. He is one of the unluckiest blokes to wear the Baggy Green."

Boland, who also became just the second Australian pace bowler in six decades to play a Test after his 36th birthday (after Glenn McGrath), took the milestone in good humour. "There was talk of cutting the match ball in half," he joked. "100 Tests and 400 wickets. [Starc] can have it."

His immediate Test future remains uncertain, with selectors likely to revert to their preferred pace trio for the remainder of the Ashes series. However, with three matches to be played in a tight 23-day window, rotation could provide Boland another shot.

For now, he joins Peter Siddle — who sent a congratulatory message — in Australia's hat-trick club, adding another chapter to one of the most remarkable late-career surges in modern cricket.

And yet, the wait for consistent selection continues for a bowler statistically unmatched in a century.