Boland prepares to return to South Africa, a place he 'can't remember'

Scott Boland is preparing to return to South Africa with Australia's Test squad, nearly a decade after his previous international tour of the country. The veteran fast bowler admits he remembers very little about that 2016 trip, which marked the end of his short-lived ODI career. Boland played the last three of his 14 ODIs in South Africa in 2016. Australia endured a difficult series, losing all five matches, and Boland has not played another white-ball international since. "I can't remember anything," Boland said in Melbourne. "I don't remember where we were. I don't know if I've just binned that memory because it didn't go well." A Difficult 2016 Tour Australia's 2016 ODI tour of South Africa came without their established fast-bowling trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. Boland was part of an inexperienced attack alongside John Hastings, Chris Tremain, Joe Mennie and Dan Worrall. Australia were beaten 5-0, although Boland was among the team's better performers. He took five wickets at an average of 34.20 and recorded Australia's best economy rate of 6.33. His final ODI came in Cape Town, which is one of the few memories from the tour that has stayed with him. "I remember Cape Town, because the ground was pretty beautiful," Boland said. After that series, Boland disappeared from Australia's international setup for several years. He eventually made his Test debut in 2021 and has since established himself as a highly regarded red-ball bowler. Boland Returns as a More Experienced Bowler At 37, Boland believes he is a considerably better bowler than he was during his previous visit to South Africa. His bowling action and basic approach have not changed dramatically, but he says his preparation and understanding of his body have improved significantly. "I haven't changed too much in terms of what I do, in terms of how I bowl," Boland said. "But I think the biggest change is in preparing for games, knowing my body better, getting all those little things right." Boland also believes experience has taught him how to manage his workload more effectively. Earlier in his career, he admits he sometimes trained too heavily and entered matches fatigued, particularly towards the end of long series. Now, he prioritises recovery and carefully plans his training so he can maintain his energy throughout a series. Careful Workload Management Ahead of South Africa Boland's preparation for the upcoming tour has already demonstrated that change in approach. He completed an eight-week bowling block before Australia's August Tests but ultimately did not play. Following discussions with selectors and medical staff, he took two weeks away from bowling before beginning another three-week training block. His preparation will conclude with a domestic 50-over match for Victoria against New South Wales at the Junction Oval. He will play alongside Glenn Maxwell before flying to South Africa on Sunday. Boland believes the match fits well into his workload plan, allowing him to complete around 10 to 12 overs before departing for the Test tour. Four-Man Pace Attack Could Be an Option Boland remains uncertain about how much cricket he will play in South Africa. Australia have also included spinner Matthew Kuhnemann in their squad, with conditions potentially influencing the team's selection. South Africa's spin attack has previously caused Australia problems in Durban, while more recent matches have also demonstrated the effectiveness of the country's fast bowlers. With three Tests scheduled at the beginning of October, Australia could potentially select Boland alongside Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood in a four-man pace attack. The quartet have not played together since Australia bowled the West Indies out for 27 in a pink-ball Test in Jamaica last year. Preparing for a Rare Domestic 50-Over Match Before joining the Test squad, Boland will play his first domestic 50-over match in 18 months and only his third in the format over the last three years. Despite returning to one-day cricket, he has not spent much time working on yorkers and slower balls. His current focus is primarily on using the new ball effectively and, ideally, completing his spell before the final stages of an innings. Boland's return to South Africa therefore represents more than a second chance in a country where his white-ball career faded away. It is also a reflection of how much his approach to bowling, preparation and workload management has developed since that difficult 2016 tour. Nearly ten years later, Boland may not remember much about his first trip to South Africa, but he arrives this time with far greater Test experience and a much clearer understanding of his game.