Australian football player Scott Boland He revealed his strategy to dismiss Virat Kohli for the third time in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. series. Scott Boland stated that the team has clear plans when bowling opposite Virat Kohli, adding that Australia is adjusting its line-out slightly to the fifth stump.
Virat Kohli scored 17 runs off 69 balls on the first day of the Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Friday, January 3. The Men in Blue were bowled out for 185 balls in the first innings. In response, Australia ended the day on 9/1, with Jasprit Bumrah Usman Khawaja was dismissed on the last ball of the day.
We have specific plans about how we want to bow to Him – Scott Poland
Scott Boland said Virat Kohli tends to leave many deliveries early but wants to play the ball once he settles at the crease. Boland pointed out that they adjusted their lines to the fifth stump once Kohli settled down and added that this has been effective so far in the series.
“We have specific plans on how we want to approach him. He feels like he leaves a lot and then wants to bowl as soon as he comes in. So once he comes in, we just want to switch our lines a little bit,” Boland said on Fox Cricket about Australia's success against Kohli this season. Up to the fifth trunk and it is working at the moment.”
Virat Kohli could have been dismissed for a golden duck off Scott Boland
Virat Kohli could have been dismissed off his first ball when the third umpire did not rule out a catch, as the ball appeared to be touching the ground. It was eventually caught brilliantly by Beau Webster at third slip off the bowling of Scott Boland.
The pressure from Australia's bowling was too much for Kohli, who hit the ball outside his body and got stuck in the cordon. This was the fourth time that Boland had dismissed Kohli in Tests. Boland picked up the wicket of Yashavi Jaiswal (10), Rishabh Pant (40) and Nitish Kumar (0) in the first half.
His natural angle makes it very difficult for right-handers – Beau Webster
New Australian bowler Beau Webster praised Scott Boland for his tough style of bowling. Webster highlighted that Boland had the ability to find wickets regardless of the conditions. He also noted that Boland's consistency with his line and length make him a particular challenge for right-handers.
“If there's something in the wicket, he'll find it, and if there's nothing in the wicket, he'll still be able to find a way through it,” Webster said. “He's relentless. I think that's his line and his length and his natural angle makes it really difficult for right-handers, but when we see him spin around the wicket to left-handers, it's impressive stuff.”
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