He might not have the statue called for as he dismantled England's batting order on Test debut at the MCG, but a place in a mural not too far down the road has come for Scott Boland.
The Gulidjan seamer features alongside Test teammate Travis Head in Naarm's CBD laneways as days tick down to the Boxing Day Test when Australia host New Zealand.
Unveiled on Monday, the pair are celebrated against the backdrop of iconic pieces of the city in the MCG, trams and Flinders Street Station.
It's less than 50 days until the first ball on Boxing Day, and exactly one month until day one of the first of four Tests against the Black Caps starting in Boorloo (Perth).
"Being Victorian, it's the best time of the year. It's a game that you sort of circle in your calendar and want to play. So hopefully, I get the opportunity again," Boland said on Monday.
Boland joked "I thought it might have been me and Trav opening the batting together" on seeing the mural for the first time, adding he looks to be celebrating one of his 87 wickets taken for Australia in the depiction.
The mural is tucked into Higson Lane, an iconic street art spot on the eastern edge of the CBD, a short walk or tram ride to the ground for fans coming from the city.
Designed and painted by Blender Studios, it took a week to complete.
Australia will look to bounce back from a disappointing finish in South Africa.
Boland was unable to squeeze into the XI for what proved a loss in the decisive third Test — to plenty of outside noise from pundits and fans around his non-selection, after impressing in the previous match at Gqeberha.
His position as the perennial reserve behind Australia's 'big four attack' proved true again.
In last year's home Ashes, Boland featured across an entire lengthy series for the first time in his Test career.
"I've had some really good memories at the 'G, and the crowd support I get is unbelievable. So I'm just really hoping I get another chance to relive it again," he said on Monday.
Boxing Day in 2026 will mark five years since Boland's much-loved 6/7 with the ball on debut against England, where he also became the second-ever First Nations man to represent Australia in Test cricket.
"Build the man a statue" exclaimed by Fox Cricket commentator Mark Howard during the spell remains a favourite catch-cry for fans.
Also on Monday, knocked back suggestions made by retired veteran Usman Khawaja in the lead up to his much-anticipated book release.
"I don't know what the 'dark arts' are. You probably have to ask Usman for that," Boland said on Monday in Melbourne, per AAP.
Excerpts of his book has seen Khawaja make claims regarding 'Sandpapergate' in Australia's 2018 tour of South Africa, and further speculation of Boland's Victoria's applications of ball tampering.
"But in general, the last (eight) years since Cape Town, reverse swing has really gone out of the game," Boland continued.
"I don't know - if you went back to club cricket, without cameras, you would probably see a lot of things happen.
"From my point of view, I haven't really seen anything untoward."
