Bulawayo: On Tuesday, South African allrounder Corbin Bosch became only the fourth player from his country, and the first since legendary Jacques Kallis in 2002, to score a century and take a five-wicket haul in the same Test match.
Bosch achieved this milestone during his side's victory over Bulawayo in the first Test of the two-match series against Zimbabwe on Tuesday.
During the match, Bosch began with a dazzling century at number eight in the first innings, scoring 100 runs off 124 balls with ten fours. While he remained wicketless in his first outing with the ball and scored 36 runs in the following innings, Bosch came in clutch in the final innings, taking a sensational fifer that blew Zimbabwe away in their chase of 537 runs.
Kallis last achieved this in October 2002, scoring 139 runs and taking 5/21 and 2/26 against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom. He is the only South African to have accomplished this feat twice, the first time against the West Indies in January 1999 at Cape Town, when he scored 110 and 88 in both innings and recorded 2/34 and 5/90.
The other two South Africans to accomplish this were James Sinclair, who scored against England in Cape Town in April 1899, and George Faulkner, who scored against England in January 1910.
Bosch has made an excellent beginning to his Test career, scoring 217 runs in two matches at an average of 108. 50, including a century and a fifty. He has also claimed 10 wickets at an average of 19. 10, including a fourfer and a fivefor. He has also participated in two ODIs, having made his international debut only last year.
During the match, South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first, but Tanaka Chivanga (4/83) troubled their top order, leaving them at 55/4. A counterattacking partnership of 95 runs between Dewald Brevis (51 off 41 balls, including three fours and four sixes) and Lhuan helped the Proteas escape difficult waters.
The top partnership of the innings was a 138-run seventh-wicket stand between Lhuan (153 off 160 balls, including 11 fours and four sixes) and Bosch. Lhuan became the youngest South African centurion ever, at 19 years and 93 days.
Later, a century from Bosch (100 in 127 balls, with 10 fours) and valuable contributions from skipper Keshav Maharaj (21) and Codi Yusuf (27) helped SA reach 418 in 90 overs.
In response, a 96-run third-wicket partnership between Craig Ervine, the captain (36 off 90 balls, including four boundaries), and Sean Williams was a significant feature for Zimbabwe in their first innings. Williams, despite the wickets falling at the other end, scored a brisk 137 off 164 balls, including 16 fours, to help Zimbabwe reach 251 in 67. 4 overs. This was his sixth Test century. Zimbabwe trailed by 167 runs.
Wiaan Mulder (4/50) was South Africa's best bowler, while Maharaj and Codi both took three wickets.
During their second innings, the Proteas lost wickets often and were limited to 155/5. However, their new number three batsman, Mulder (147 off 206 balls, with 17 fours and two sixes) produced a courageous century, partnering with wicketkeeper Kyle Verreyne (36) for a 104-run sixth wicket stand. Later, lower-order contributions from Bosch (36) and Maharaj (51 in 70 balls, with four boundaries and a six) helped the Proteas to 369/10. Bosch and Maharaj had a 92-run partnership for the eighth wicket.
The Proteas led by 536 runs, setting 537 for Zimbabwe to win. Bosch (5/43) and Yusuf (3/22) spearheaded a strong effort from South Africa, as, aside from Wellington Masakadza (57 off 92 balls, with nine fours) and captain Ervine (49 off 77 balls, with seven fours), no one made much of a challenge, as Zimbabwe was bowled out for 208 runs.
Lhuan received the 'Player of the Match' award for his performance on debut.
