CENTURION: Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Tuesday, unveiled its national men’s team’s playing XI for the first Test of the two-match series against Pakistan, scheduled to commence on December 26 here at the SuperSport Park.
The home side, who are only one victory away from sealing their spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final, named an all-pace bowling attack for the series opener, featuring uncapped fast-bowling all-rounder Corbin Bosch.
Bosch would form South Africa’s bowling attack with Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Dane Paterson, while left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj was not considered for selection due to injury.
The emerging all-rounder earned his place into the playing XI on the back of his commendable batting performances in first-class cricket, where he averages 40.46 in 34 appearances.
He recently made his ODI debut in the series finale against Pakistan in Johannesburg. The 30-year-old played a gutsy 40-run knock in the aforementioned fixture and registered decent bowling figures of 1/69, which featured key wicket of centurion Saim Ayub.
Meanwhile, top-order batter Ryan Rickelton managed to retain his place in the lineup, thanks to his match-winning century against Sri Lanka in the recently-held second Test in Gqeberha.
South Africa playing XI for Boxing Day Test against Pakistan: Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (C), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, and Corbin Bosch.
Pakistan’s squad for South Africa Tests: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha