Corbin Bosch, centre, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Shan Masood during the Boxing Day Test between South Africa and Pakistan in Centurion. Photo: AP Corbin Bosch, centre, celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Shan Masood during the Boxing Day Test between South Africa and Pakistan in Centurion. Photo: AP

A Boxing Day debut became even more special for Corbin Bosch as the South African struck with the first ball in his Test bow against South Africa at his home ground on Thursday (December 26bonus365, 2024). (Match Blog | More Cricket News)

The 30-year-old pacer from Durban was introduced in the 15th over by Temba Bavuma after the Proteas captain won the toss and opted to bowl in the series opener at Centurion's SuperSport Park.

"I love this place," Corbin told Cricbuzz before the match. "The atmosphere is always fantastic, and it's a ground that I'm so well accustomed to. It's where he (Tertius Bosch, Corbin's father) played most of his cricket. So I cannot be more grateful to spend such a momentous occasion here."

An honour, and a privilege 🇿🇦Corbin Bosch makes his 2nd debut in less than a week for the Proteas. As Wiaan Mulder hands him his test-cricket cap for the Proteas! 🧢👏#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/D0CZiax7If

starlight princess slot— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 26, 2024

And Bosch had the visiting captain Shan Masood caught by fellow pacer Marco Jansen at gully for a 58-ball 17. The first South Africa vs Pakistan Test marks his 31st First-Class match.

The match features an all-pace attack from both camps. South Africa have Bosch, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada and Dane Paterson, while Pakistan named Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad and Naseem Shah.

Elsewhere, Down Under, Aussie teenager Sam Konstas rocked a strong Indian bowling attack led by the imperious Jasprit Bumrah with a brilliant half-century on debut, 60 off 65, in their Boxing Day affair.

Australia, India, and South Africa are in a three-way battle for the two ICC World Test Championship final spots. Pakistan and Sri Lanka also have mathematical chances, but will find it almost impossible to finish in the top two of the table.

India then beat Korea 3-1 before eking out a narrow 2-1 win over arch-rivals Pakistan.

Who Is Corbin Bosch?

Born into a cricketing family, Corbin Bosch inherited the fast-bowling traits of his father. Corbin's younger brother, Eathan also plays cricket professionally.

Bosch, who made his international debut on Sunday in the third ODI against Pakistan, rose through the Proteas youth ranks. He took 1/69 and scored an unbeaten 40 off 44 balls in his maiden South Africa outing.

The bowling all-rounder was part of the South Africa Under-19 and Colts setup and has played in T20 franchise leagues for the global 'Royals family' -- Paarl Royals in SA20, Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League, and Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.

His father Tertius, also a pace-bowling all-rounder, represented the national team in one Test in 1992 and two ODIs at the World Cup the same year. He died in February 2000, a month before what would have been his 34th birthday.

Tertius claimed the wickets of West Indians Brian Lara, caught behind, in the first innings, then Phil Simmons and Patrick Patterson, both bowled, in the second as South Africa played their first Test in Bridgetown (1992) after being readmitted to the International Cricket Council (ICC) fold the previous year.

So, what record has Corbin Bosch achieved?

Bosch became the third bowler to take a wicket off the first ball of his Test career in 2024, after Shamar Joseph and Tshepo Moreki. This is in fact the first instance of three bowlers achieving such a feat in a calendar year.

West Indian Joseph dismissed Aussie Steven Smith in Adelaide in January, while Bosch' South African compatriot Tshepo Moreki got the wicket of New Zealand's Devon Conway in Mount Maunganui in February.

Bosch is the 25th bowler in the history of Test cricket to take a wicket off the first ball of their career. He is the fifth South African to achieve this feat. Bert Voglerbonus365, Dane Piedt and Hardus Viljoen are the other three Proteas in this list.