Scott Boland currently has the best bowling average in history, after putting on a performance that propelled him to fame for having one of the best statistical starts to Test cricket in the history of the game.
In three innings of test cricket, the 32-year-old Gulidjan man has taken 11 wickets for a staggering average of 8.27 from 31.1 overs.
After bagging a six-wicket haul in his debut in the boxing day test, he was named the player of the match and received a standing ovation as he was awarded the Mullagh Medal, in honour of pioneering Indigenous cricketer Johnny Mullagh.
Paul Stewart, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at The Lowitja Institute and former Indigenous Engagement Specialist at Cricket Australia has witnessed Boland's evolution since it's very start - and may have even played a pivotal role in it.
He describes the cricket star as "humble and undoubtedly, very family-oriented".
Mr Stewart told NITV News that when Boland first approached him wanting to learn more about his heritage, he was ashamed to reveal that his Grandfather, who had passed away, had not shared information about his Aboriginality with his family.
Scott Boland (centre) takes the wicket of Jonny Bairstow day 5 of the fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England at the SCG. Source: AAP
"I just basically shook my head and said 'what's new' because this story is very common, and once he broke through that, he began to focus on learning more and asking how he can learn more," he said.
"He has developed as a person, there is no doubt about that, and the other thing that was in his favour was that he was called up to play at the MCG which is his home ground.
"The whole cultural experience, connecting with other Aboriginal players where we get to talk about who we are and who we get to represent, and the fact that we're representing family and communities. so while I can't talk for Scott I think it may have enhanced his ability and desire to perform the way he did."
Boland is only the second Indigenous man to play for Australia, and the first since Jason Gillespie, who played his last test 15 years ago and earned 71 caps.
It's hoped his effort to secure 6/7 in 24 balls to seal the Ashes for Australia will provide inspiration for a new generation of Indigenous cricketers, who have been grossly underrepresented in Australia's test ranks for almost 150 years.
Mr Stewart told NITV News that Boland was involved in a trip to Harrow in 2018 for the Aboriginal XI tour in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the first Australian sporting team to tour internationally in 1868 - an all-Indigenous side.
"We went down there because it's a direct connection to the 1868 team, he and his brother were selected to tour England a few months later," he said.
"There's something about me that thinks that the medal [Mullagh], which ended up doing a tour through Harrow where he has visited on boxing day, and then the medal ends up in his hands.
"It's like the ancestors have spoken, and even the direct descendants of that team, it sort of gives me goosebumps."
Upon receiving the Mullagh medal, Boland spoke about his desire to be a role model for Indigenous youngsters.
“It means a lot to join a pretty small club and hopefully it’s just the start for the Indigenous community. I just want to be a role model to encourage Indigenous kids to want to play cricket,” he said.
"I can see how big Aboriginals are in the AFL and NRL so hopefully this can be a moment and together with the Big Bash and D'Arcy Short, Ash Gardner and Dan Christian, hopefully, that could be sort of like a springboard for young Aboriginals to get involved in the game of cricket."
Mr Stewart agreed that Boland's success was an opportunity for Cricket Australia to springboard Indigenous engagement in the sport.
"I reckon there would have been a number of kids who grabbed a cricket ball and charged in wanting to take 6 for 7," he said.
"I don't think we will ever understand that impact but in a couple of years' time when we start hearing people say 'I remember watching Scott Boland."
Indigenous participation numbers have jumped at a local level, but Cricket Australia has expressed hopes that Scott Boland's memorable Test debut will inspire the next generation of promising young athletes.
