South Africa has recalled all-rounder and all-rounder Corbin Bush for the crucial home Test series against Pakistan which begins in Pretoria on December 26, but will buy time for the injured Jan Mulder to prove his fitness.
Coach Shukri Konrad has named an expanded 16-man squad for the Pakistan matches to cover Mulder, with uncapped 18-year-old fast bowler Kwena Mafaka also part of the selection.
“We have added Corbin to the mix. His all-round ability with both bat and ball adds depth and his pace brings extra strength to our attack, so we are excited to see him make this step into Test cricket,” Conrad said.
Corbyn, 30, is the son of former seamer Tertius Bush, who played in South Africa’s first Test against the West Indies in 1992.
It was his only hat before he died of Guillain-Barré Syndrome at the age of 33 in 2000.
All-rounder Mulder also missed the second Test win over Sri Lanka earlier this month with a fractured middle finger, having been a key part of the South Africa side that hopes to secure a place in the ICC World Test Championship final with victory over Pakistan. .
Spinner Keshav Maharaj was also selected despite withdrawing from the first one-day international against Pakistan on Tuesday due to an acute thigh strain.
Senuran Muthusamy is the only other specialist spinner in the team to test Centurion Park on a wicket that is likely to favor the seamers.
“We are closely monitoring Kesh (Maharaj) and hope his injury is not too serious,” Conrad said.
South Africa, who currently top the points table, needs to win one of the two matches in the series to book a place in the Lord’s final in June next year, with the second match starting in Cape Town on January 3.
South Africa national team
Themba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Corbin Bush, Matthew Bretzke, Tony De Zorzi, Marco Janssen, Keshav Maharaj, Koena Mafaka, Aiden Markram, Jan Mulder, Senoran Muthusamy, Dane Patterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Kyle . Viren.