A resident of Parklea he commenced his playing career at 15 with Seven Hills Toongabbie RSL Cricket Club where he was noted as being no more than an enthusiastic but erratic bowler during his early days.

The left-armer debuted for New South Wales in 2002–03. In the 2004–05 season, in an ING Cup match against South Australia, he picked up a hat-trick in dismissing the Redbacks' brittle top order. Following this innings, he did not continue this form. He generated some success in the One-Day form of the game, taking 27 wickets at an average of 28.32 in 20 matches leading to the Australian selectors naming him in a 30-man squad for the ICC champions trophy tournament in India. Bollinger is one of a select group of up and coming Australian cricketers who have spent time at the Commonwealth Bank Centre of Excellence honing their cricket skills, in the hope of gaining national selection.

The end of 2006–07 season saw the retirement of Glenn McGrath, who is the fourth highest wicket-taker in Test history, opening up a bowling position in the Australian team. Bollinger staked his claim early in the summer. He took a five wicket haul in NSW Pura cup match against WA. In a devastating spell of pace and swing not seen at the WACA for some years Bollinger claimed yet another hat-trick and ended up with the figures of 5/38. He made his Test debut for Australia on 3 January 2009 in the Third Test against South Africa at the SCG.

On 1 May 2009, Bollinger claimed his first ODI five-wicket haul, which came against Pakistan at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. He picked up 5/35 and won his first Man of the Match award. In the 6th ODI versus India at Guwahati, he took 4 wickets and was declared as the Man of the match again.

Bollinger was once again drafted into the Australian XI for the second of three Tests against the West Indies in November – December 2009 following injuries to leading pacemen Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle. He took 5 wickets in the match at Adelaide, and continued his good bowling form into the third and final Test, taking career best figures of 5/70 in the first innings and 8/141 for the match.

On 21 January 2011, in an ODI match against England at Hobart, Bollinger scored 30 runs—his highest ever ODI score—in a record ninth wicket partnership with Shaun Marsh. In England's innings, Bollinger was the pick of the Australian bowlers, taking 4/28, as Australia went on to win the match by 46 runs.

Doug Bollinger was ruled out of World Cup 2011 due to ankle injury, and was forced to fly home.^[5]