MI CAPE TOWN'S BOSCH’S BALANCE GETS HIM THE NOD FOR LORD'S

MI Cape Town allrounder Corbin Bosch and Paarl Royal seamer Lungi Ngidi were the surprise inclusions in the Proteas 15-man squad for the World Test Championship Final against Australia at Lord’s next month.

Bosch has only played one Test against Pakistan last year, but made an immediate impact when he became the first South African to take a four-wicket haul and strike a half-century on debut at Centurion.

The performance earned him selection over Joburg Super Kings fast bowler Gerald Coetzee and Pretoria Capitals’ express Anrich Nortje - both fit again.

“I just felt that what Corbin had done for us in the series against Pakistan, that he provides really good cover,” said Proteas coach Shukri Conrad.

“And when I say cover, he might still make the starting 11. But Corbin's not lacking in pace, so I don't think we compromised too much pace in that respect.”

Conrad was particularly impressed with the way Bosch handled the pressure on his debut outing when the Proteas had slipped to 191/7, but ended up totalling 301 all out due to the 30-year-old’s superb 81 not out batting at No 9.

A long admirer of a long tail, Conrad feels Bosch’s extra skills adds a significant amount to the Proteas.

“I'm really happy what Corbin offers us and brings really good balance to our side as well,” he said.

“And that's ultimately what we were after, is the balance.”

Bosch is currently at the IPL where he is playing for Mumbai Indians.

Ngidi, meanwhile, makes a return to the Test squad after a lengthy absence. The seamer recently made his debut for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, where he impressed with three wickets.

“I’m particularly pleased to welcome Lungi back in the side. He’s put in the work and offers us an experienced option with the ball,” Conrad said.

Conrad also confirmed that Bosch’s MI Cape Town teammate and Betway SA20’s leading run-scorer Ryan Rickelton will open the batting with Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain Aiden Markram.

Fellow Sunrisers batter Tony de Zorzi will shift to the middle-order.

“Ricks has nailed that down,” Conrad said. “So, Ryan will be the opening bat with Aiden and we'll obviously look at the balance we want to go with, and whether Tony slots in at three, whether he slots in the middle order.

“I think conditions will determine all of that.”

FULL PROTEAS 15-MAN WTC FINAL SQUAD

Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Corbin Bosch (MI Cape Town), Tony de Zorzi (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Marco Jansen (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Keshav Maharaj (Durban’s Super Giants), Aiden Markram (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Wiaan Mulder (Durban’s Super Giants), Senuran Muthusamy (Pretoria Capitals), Lungi Ngidi (Paarl Royals), Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada (MI Cape Town), Ryan Rickelton (MI Cape Town), Tristan Stubbs (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Kyle Verreynne (Pretoria Capitals)