Boland makes Shield breakthroughs for Vics on return from Australian setup

Jarred Cross Published March 11, 2024 at 1.30pm (AWST)

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Scott Boland made a solid start on return to Shield duties with three wickets against WA in Naarm on Monday. (Image: X/Twitter)

Scott Boland has shown no signs of a rushed return to Victoria's Sheffield Shield setup taking breakthrough wickets in his state's crucial tie against Western Australia on Monday.

At Naarm's Junction Oval, Boland took first blood when he got under former Test opener Cameron Bancroft's (16 runs) bat with after the visitors made a 0/45 start.

Reward for effort 👊
Scott Boland gets our first of the day, with a beauty to dismiss Bancroft 🙏 #vicsdoitbetter #SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/33tuJe8Qqk
— Victorian Cricket Team (@VicStateCricket) March 11, 2024

It comes just days after the 34-year-old left the Australian team camp preparing for the second Test against the Black Caps in Aotearoa.

Boland was released from the squad in order to feature for the Vics as they hunt a third-straight Shield final appearance with a win over the reigning champions.

WA reconvened to go past three figures just after tea with Todd Murphy as the only other wicket-taker sending Sam Whiteman (35) back to the pavilion before the main break.

After the Vics won the toss and elected to bowl Boland again pulled things back in his side's direction, featherting dangerman Hilton Cartwright's edge through to 'keeper Sam Harper leaving WA 3-107.

Outside of Bancroft, each of WA's top order have been allowed to make starts.

With runs ticking over, Boland had his third after jagging one back in from around the wicket clipping no.3 Jayden Goodwin's off stump (43) to contain things.