Debutant Bosch to bolster South Africa’s all-seam attack in Boxing Day test against Pakistan

PRETORIA: South Africa will hand a test debut to 30-year-old Corbin Bosch in their opening test against Pakistan, starting on Boxing Day at Centurion. Captain Temba Bavuma confirmed the playing XI on Tuesday, highlighting Bosch’s inclusion in an all-seam bowling line-up.

Bosch, who made his One Day International (ODI) debut just days earlier, impressed with a solid performance at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, scoring 40 not out and taking one wicket, even as South Africa lost to Pakistan. Now, the pacer has the opportunity to make an impact on his home ground in the test format.

Joining Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Dane Paterson, Bosch steps into the side amidst a spate of injuries that have sidelined key bowlers, including Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, and Lizaad Williams.

The Centurion pitch is expected to offer assistance to the seamers, making Bosch’s debut a crucial addition to South Africa’s attack. Bavuma expressed confidence in the new-look bowling unit, stating that the team would rely on their pace arsenal to counter Pakistan’s strong batting line-up.