Looking every part the predator who is right at home in his natural habitat, Scott Boland has relished returning to Sheffield Shield cricket at the MCG.
The Test quick has led the Victorian attack superbly, putting the home side on the verge of a convincing win over NSW.
At stumps on day three NSW were 6-185, needing another 198 for a miracle win, with Josh Philippe their last hope on 70 and Mitchell Starc (4no) with him at the crease.
After trapping young gun Sam Konstas lbw for two in the first innings, Boland claimed the crucial wicket of Steve Smith on Tuesday with another lbw that had the Test star fuming.
Boland was generating plenty of movement and Smith made the fatal mistake of leaving a ball that darted back and brushed his pad.
Smith, who only made three in the first innings, shook his head vehemently as he trudged off, but Boland was adamant it was the right call.
"It only has to hit the stumps when you don't use your bat like that, so, yeah," Boland said.
After not playing any Tests last summer, Boland needed six months off because of leg injuries.
But he always excels at the MCG and Boland is relishing his comeback.
"I'm not worried about my injury or body at all. I just feel a bit rusty," he said.
"Both my new-ball spells have been pretty good. I'm pretty happy with how it's gone so far."
Resuming on Tuesday at 4-90 in their second innings, Sam Harper (72) and Tom Rogers (59) put on 130 for the fifth wicket and steadily took the game away from NSW.
Late-innings cameos from Fergus O'Neill (33) and Todd Murphy (36) further frustrated the visitors, before Starc bowled them both to end the innings on 246.
"To get that, against a pretty strong NSW team, we're pretty happy with how we're going," Boland said.
Starc took 6-81 to show the left-arm quick's Test series preparations are on track.
Konstas looked set for the big innings he needed to further his claim as a Test selection bolter, before a teenager's rush of blood cost him.
After hitting a boundary off Murphy, the next delivery he went down the track to the offspinner. Campbell Kellaway took a great diving catch at point from the top edge to dismiss Konstas for 43.
"He took his time, he has a nice technique, he batted well," Boland said of Konstas.
Boland and Will Sutherland have two wickets apiece, while O'Neill has continued his impressive form with bat and ball.
