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The depth of fast bowlers at South Africa’s disposal was no better evidenced than on Thursday as Corbin Bosch and Dale Paterson took nine of the 10 wickets to dismiss Pakistan for 211 on the opening day of the first Test at Centurion.
The pair made the most of their opportunity to play Test cricket amid a long list of injured bowlers and emphasised the country’s long tradition of producing quality quicks.
Bosch was making his debut and became the 25th player to take a wicket with his first delivery in Test cricket before bagging three more wickets for an impressive return of 4-63.
The 35-year-old Paterson went one better with a five-wicket haul for a second successive test as he belied his age and continued a positive return to the Test arena.
Bosch and Paterson were the change bowlers for South Africa, whose all-seam attack against Pakistan was spearheaded by regulars Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen but who were overshadowed by Bosch and Paterson.
Paterson, who took 5-61 in 16 overs, was recalled in October while Bosch won a first cap as a result of the fact that Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje and Lizaad Williams were all out of contention because of injury or lack of fitness.
Bosch could not have asked for a better day after winning his first cap at the age of 30, emulating his father who played for South Africa in 1992.
"You couldn’t write a script like that but all I wanted to do was to get it to bounce, let it just be somewhere near the wicket," joked Bosch about the anxious thoughts going through his mind as he ran up to deliver the first ball of his Test career.
The delivery rose and saw Pakistan captain Shan Masood flash at it outside off stump, guiding it straight to Marco Jansen at third slip.
"I wouldn’t even have dared dream of something like that," added Bosch.
Paterson is revelling in still being part of the Test squad. He made his debut against England in 2020, playing two Tests, but then waited four years before his next outing.
"I'm just happy to do well for the team, putting the team in a good position," he told a press conference after Thursday’s play.
If South Africa win one of their two Test series against Pakistan, they qualify for the World Test Championship final at Lord’s in June.
"Lord's is a very long way away and I'll be 36-years-old. But yeah, I mean, it's a goal. Everybody's speaking about it, the team is focused," he added.
South Africa trail Pakistan by 129 runs with seven wicket in hand after Thursday's play. They were 82-3 at stumps after dismissing Pakistan three balls after tea.
Aiden Markram spearheaded South Africa's counterattack after Pakistan's pace unit rattled the hosts early on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test on Thursday.
At stumps, South Africa's scoreboard read 82/3, trailing Pakistan by 129 runs. Aiden Markram remained unbeaten on 47 off 67 balls, while skipper Temba Bavuma held steady at 4 off 23 deliveries.
