NEWS
Follow UsNot a lot expected Corbin Bosch to be an instant success in the Test format, considering that he was viewed as more of a white-ball prospect. But Bosch proved everyone wrong on his Test debut against Pakistan, with a four-wicket haul in the first innings with the ball.
Later, the 30-year-old made his biggest impact thus far in the clash when he scored a 93-ball 81, rescuing South Africa from shambles at 213/8. The right-handed batter put on two sizeable partnerships, one with Kagiso Rabada (41) and the other with Dane Paterson, as South Africa went past the 300-run mark.
In the aftermath of his stellar all-round display, South Africa’s seasoned cricketer Aiden Markram couldn’t stop praising, stating that Test cricket seems to be pretty easy for the all-rounder.
"It looks pretty easy for him at this moment, this whole Test cricket thing, and [his innings] was a great momentum shift for us. It's a hugely valuable knock, probably worth more than a hundred," Markram said at the press conference after the clash.
"He's always been a really talented guy. In the last few years, he's really put his head down, grafted and put in performances to get the chance. I'm really happy for him that he's grabbed his opportunity as he has. There's still a lot left in his tank that he has to offer, and I'm glad some of the world can see what he's about."
He wasn’t the only one stranded short of a hundred, with Markram himself making a well-composed 89, where he looked destined for a three-figure score. But the South African opener reckoned that he isn’t too worried about ‘making hundreds’.
"For me, it's not about me making hundreds,” Markram said.
“Obviously, making hundreds is great, and it does feel good, and you know you're contributing, but it's more the situation of the game that you find yourself in, and when you find yourself getting out, that can frustrate you a lot.”
"The hundred would be fantastic if it were to happen, but it's not about Aidan Markram scoring a hundred. It's more about getting the team into a really strong position where we can hopefully win a game of cricket."
Marco Jansen’s two wickets in the second innings have brought the game back in South Africa’s favour as Pakistan find themselves on 88/3, trailing by two runs. If South Africa seal a win here in Centurion, they will be confirmed to play in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
