Cult Aussie fast bowling hero Scott Boland is known for his shy, introverted nature despite his cricketing brilliance: but is he as modest as he appears?
The softly-spoken 33-year-old was hilariously busted by teammate Usman Khawaja getting a massage while wearing Speedos with a very unusual feature recently.
Instead of the usual rubber ducks, tropical design or eye-catching neon colours of the iconic Aussie swimwear company, Boland opted for a custom-made pair featuring himself.
The married father-of-two chose photos of himself playing Test cricket and celebrating wickets with his teammates, leading to Khawaja captioning his video ‘the vanity’ accompanied by a crying laughing face emoji.
Scott Boland was all smiles after taking a triple-wicket maiden on day three of Australia’s Test against the West Indies. It’s been an extraordinary year on the field for the 33-year-old
And hey, who can blame the quick for wanting to celebrate his incredible year since his phenomenal 6/7 on debut in the Boxing Day Ashes Test last year?
Given Boland really is one of the more modest, down-to-earth figures in Australian cricket, Channel 7 host Mel McLaughlin was left wondering if his choice of clothing was ‘normal’.
‘Usman Khawaja has posted this story today on Instagram. It’s of Scott Boland getting a massage, but starting with budgie smugglers and, I don’t know if you missed it, on them are just photos of Scott Boland,’ she said on the coverage of Australia’s Test win over West Indies on Sunday.
‘I’m just wondering – is that normal?’
Scott Boland, pictured with wife Daphne, opts for a custom-made pair of Speedos featuring his own face, instead of more traditional designs from the swimwear company
Given the Aussie team’s ‘fast bowling cartel’ is typically made up of no-nonsense, no-frills characters, no would be the answer to that.
Glenn McGrath, Australia’s greatest-ever fast bowler, seemed to indicate it was something he would have expected a flashy batter like Khawaja to do.
Usman Khawaja, pictured with wife Rachel and daughter Ayla, stitched up teammate Scott Boland when he posted a video on social media showing the big fast bowler wearing budgie smugglers featuring his own face
‘I’m not sure that’s in the rule book of fast bowling cartel – it’s something more a batsman would do you would have thought. But Scotty, he can do whatever he wants these days, can’t he?’ a sniggering McGrath said, pointing to the modest Victorian’s extraordinary on-field success.
Another legendary Aussie quick – Damien Fleming – also suggested that was the case, dropping fellow commentator and batter Greg Blewitt in it.
You’d never catch no-frills Aussie fast bowling legend Glenn McGrath wearing a pair of budgie smugglers with his own face on them
‘Blewy, is this a marketing opportunity for you?’ he joked to Blewett on-air.
‘Why is this coming back to me?’ the 46-Test veteran asked.
‘Because Glenn just said it’s not in fast-bowling cartel nature to do that – it’s batsmen,’ Fleming mocked.
Given the on-air banter ended with Blewitt agreeing he would wear and ’embrace’ a similar pair, it’s safe to say Boland is one-of-a-kind.
Scott Boland celebrates the wicket of Shamarh Brooks on Saturday during his incredible spell against the West Indies
After his iconic 6/7 against a hapless England team in last year’s Boxing Day Test, when he burst to prominence for even the most casual of cricket fans, Boland followed it up with yet another scintillating spell in Adelaide.
The right-arm quick managed a three-wicket maiden on Saturday with the pink ball in hand, as Australia thrashed the West Indies by 419 runs.
It takes his almost unbelievable record to 21 wickets from four Tests at the paltry average of just 10.33.
To some it may have come from nowhere, but the more ardent cricket followers will have a long-held affection for Boland after his long Victorian and BBL career.
Scott Boland had a long, successful career at state and BBL level before he was able to crack into the Test side and make waves with his accurate bowling
The wily fast-medium has played 153 matches for Victoria at Shield and ODI level, and been one of the most consistent, accurate wicket-takers for the best part of a decade.
Unfortunately for him, he has been parked behind the star pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, meaning he was made to earn his baggy green in the best way possible.
Cricket Australia announced Hazlewood had succumbed to injury, and would not be playing in the opening Test against South Africa on December 17, so Boland will highly likely retain his spot.
He might need to get another pair of custom budgy smugglers made, such is the flurry of wickets he is taking at the moment.
