South Africa have handed 30-year-old Corbin Bosch an international debut in the third ODI of the ongoing bilateral series against Pakistan today (December 22).
Bosch, who earned a maiden call-up for the subsequent Tests against Pakistan, was added to the squad for the final ODI after pacer Ottniel Baartman was ruled out due to a knee injury. Baartman was the latest injury woe to South Africa’s already-hit pace reserves. Gerald Coetzee, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lizaad Williams and Anrich Nortje were all injured recently. He was also the hosts’ second bowler to suffer an injury this series after Keshav Maharaj.
Bosch's Test call-up came as a cover for Mulder, whose participation in the series opener despite being named in the squad is subject to fitness. Should Mulder remain unfit, Bosch is likely to debut in the Boxing Day Test in Johannesburg.
While Bosch’s superior form in first-class cricket, where he averages 69.66 with the bat and 22.20 with the ball, in 2024 perhaps contributed to his Test call-up, it’s a bit complicated to reason his ODI call-up. He averages in the mid-30s in both the departments in List A cricket, with the best of 79* and 4-69. His recent numbers in the format aren’t awe-inspiring either. He averaged 14 with the bat and 30.40 with the ball this year.
With a remarkable 91 in the first ODI against West Indies, Smriti Mandhana has matched Ellyse Perry's record for the most 90s in women's ODIs.
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) December 22, 2024
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With the hosts trailing the series 0-2, Bosch straightaway made his debut in the dead rubber. One possible reason for his selection could be due to South Africa's depleted pace bowling stocks.
That South Africa’s World Test Championship final berth is on the line and Bosch is almost certain to play the first Test against Pakistan, the dead rubber could be an ideal audition for the all-rounder to get a taste of international cricket ahead of the big series.
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