Keshav Maharaj and Wiaan Mulder have been called up to South Africa’s Test squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan from December 26 in Centurion even as their injuries differ in their respective healing stages. Maharaj developed an acute groin injury on Tuesday evening while warming up in preparation for the first ODI against Pakistan at Boland Park in Paarl. Cricket South Africa (CSA) said Maharaj would undergo a scan on Wednesday to determine the extent of the injury.
The selection of Mulder comes at the conclusion of the recovery process concerning a fracture to the right middle finger that sidelined him from the second Test match against Sri Lanka. If Mulder plays in the initial Test, CSA said batter Matthew Breetzke will be released from the squad.
The 30-year-old seamer claims his first Test call-up. Bosch had been in fine form in first-class cricket, having taken an all-time tally of 72 wickets at an average of 36.75 and an economy of 3.24 across 34 matches.
In addition, he averages over 40 in batting, which demonstrates his potential as a complete player. Bosch was also a member of the SA Invitational XI side that beat England Lions in Cape Town, taking 1-21. Joining him in the squad is uncapped seamer Kwena Maphaka, who was part of the squad for the second Test against Sri Lanka.
“We have added Corbin into the mix of our own squad. All-round abilities with both bat and ball deepen the role of our attack while his pace brings that extra bite into our attack so we are looking forward to seeing him make that step up to Test cricket.”
“Dane Paterson really impressed us against Sri Lanka and we look forward to seeing him again. Overall, the pace attack is a very good one, we are keeping a close eye on Kesh (Keshav Maharaj) and hoping that his injury isn’t too serious,” said head coach Shukri Conrad.
South Africa will block swords with Pakistan in the New Year Test at Cape Town after the Boxing Day Test they would play in SuperSport Park. One more win under their belt will assure South Africa of a berth in the World Test Championship final next year, which they are leading at the moment.
“We come to this series very much clear in our sights as to what it is we are trying to achieve: a spot at the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, which is the World Test Championship Final. We have selected the squad we believe gives us the best chance to make it happen.
“It is an exciting time for cricket in South Africa, and this contest against Pakistan we look forward to because they always deliver strong challenges with their talented fast bowlers, so I expect no different this time around.
“”A lot of the batters stood up when they were needed against Sri Lanka, and this is another opportunity for all of them to showcase what they can do against a good Pakistan bowling attack,” added Conrad.
South Africa Test squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk).
