Cricket
Corbin ‘Thor’ Bosch is hoping for a superhero moment in the SA20.
Corbin Bosch is such a big fan of Thor from the Marvel Universe that he often celebrates with an imaginary hammer. In the past year, he has increased the power of his swing and now hits bowlers like Thor hits bad guys with Mjolnir. So it was bound to happen that Bosch got the name Thor.
“Bosch said during the CPL, “I love all of their [Marvel] movies, and I’m a big fan of their Avengers series. When I was a kid, Thor was my favorite character. So when I first got to the CPL, I wanted to try to do a party with every Marvel character. I began with Thor, and it just kind of stuck. It’s a party I like, and I play cricket to have fun, so this one has stuck with me.”
Bosch was named the Player of the Match at the Under-19 World Cup final in the UAE in 2014, which South Africa won. His senior career didn’t take off the way everyone thought it would after his success with the U-19 team, but he’s finally getting noticed now that he’s in the big leagues.
Last year, Bosch was a replacement player for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, and the Barbados team signed him up for the CPL. The Royals’ run to the CPL final was helped by how flexible he was with the bat, but they lost to Jamaica Tallawahs in the end. Bosch is now ready to do it all over again for Royals, but this time at home in the SA20.
He said, “This SA20 is going to be huge.” “I think it’s a great chance for guys to get their names out there and show that South Africa might have a lot more talented cricketers than just those who play in the IPL and for South Africa. It’s a well-known place for guys, like me, to show off their skills and show what they’re all about and how they can dominate, whether they’re using a bat or a ball. A lot of guys have never heard of the players who are now in the spotlight on one of the biggest stages in the world. Who knows who from South Africa will be the next big thing?”
The same thing could be true of Bosch. He has gotten bigger so that he can hit more sixes and pound the pitch with the ball, both of which are important in T20 cricket. He usually bats lower down the order for Titans in domestic cricket, but Royals’ management saw some spark in his hitting and used him as a pinch-hitter at No. 3 in the CPL.
“I’m still working on my hitting,” Bosch said. “Before I came to the Caribbean, coaches told me that my new role in the CPL would be at 3. So, I figured it out while I was training with the Titans back home to improve my skills. I still feel like I’m just starting out as a batter, and I have a lot to learn. I’m trying to take in as much information as I can and figure out what works and what doesn’t.
“I’ve done a lot of range hitting and just been trying to figure out where I can be dominant. If the ball is in my area, I know I can take on any bowler in any situation. At the same time, I’ve been working on the areas where I’m weaker. My goal is to become one of the best, if not the best, all-around players in the world. This is how I train my mind every day.”
Because he played club cricket in Australia with Northern Districts Suburbs in 2016. Bosch can now throw the ball around 135kph and step in as a change bowler. Andy Bichel used to work with Bosch, was very impressed with Bosch’s progress when the two met up during the IPL last year. Bosch was with the Rajasthan Royals, and Bichel was the bowling coach for the Lucknow Super Giants.
“I could only bowl about 130kph after high school. I went to Australia to play cricket for a year. While I was there, I changed my mind and decided that I really want to bowl fast. Getting my body stronger wasn’t easy. I spent a lot of time in the gym, and I still do, to keep my body healthy and fit.
“Fast bowling is no joke; you need to be physically ready for what you will put your body through. I still want to get faster at bowling in the next two years. I feel like I’m just starting to scratch the surface of how fast I can go.”
Bosch comes from a family of cricket players. His father, Tertius Bosch, played 3 international games for South Africa and was one of the fastest bowlers of his time, along with Allan Donald. At the moment, his younger brother Eathan has a contract with both the Dolphins and the Pretoria Capitals. Corbin is excited about the SA20 because he will get to play against his brother.
“I had a great childhood because I grew up in a great family,” Bosch said. “My mother has been a big inspiration for me and my brother. She gave us the freedom to be ourselves and do the things we had always wanted to do. I don’t think I could tell you how many hours and days we spent in our backyard destroying my mom’s grass by playing garden cricket with each other. I’ll be the first to admit that we messed up the garden, but we were just having fun with each other. We just played a lot of garden cricket as kids, and we always pushed each other.
Eathan receives a lot of criticism for not being the best cricketer in his family because his brother Corbin won an Under-19 World Cup, but he got bragging rights before the SA20 by dismissing his older brother.
“I think I’ve played competitive cricket against Eathan twice before. I played for Pretoria, and he played for Durban. In one of those games, he was able to get me out in the last over. He has me beat by a mile (laughs). In 2019, I played for Tshwane Spartans and he played for Paarl Rocks in the MSL, but now we’ve switched teams. If that switch works out, I’ll win the trophy with Paarl and he’ll be upset about losing the [SA20] final.”
“When we played garden cricket, we learned how to be competitive,” Eathan said in a CSA release. “I’m a bit taller [at 1.90m], but he’s a bit bigger. “We haven’t played against each other too often, but I know I’ve knocked him out once and he hasn’t. It can be hard to play against your brother because you want him to do well, but you also want your team to win.
Bosch is especially excited to play with Tabraiz Shamsi again. They played together at Titans, and Bosch hopes that his celebrations will be better than the left-arm wristspinner’s.
Bosch said, “I love playing with Shamsi, and I’m lucky to get to play with him on the Titans.” “He’s so happy and gives the team so much energy, which I love, and it will be hard to top his celebrations. But I’m thinking of a few fun things I can do to make sure that his wicket celebrations can’t top mine.
“Like I said, I play cricket because I like it. This is just one part of the game that makes stressful and pressure situations more fun. The parties are just a way for me to let go and show the world who I really am. Paarl will definitely get the Thor.”
Bosch didn’t get any bids at the IPL 2023 auction. The SA20 gives him another chance to show franchise owners and South Africa’s selection committee how valuable he is.
On Thursday, November 2, Virat Kohli achieved an accomplishment. He became the batsman to surpass 1000 runs in ODIs in 2023, following in the footsteps of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. Not that,. He also joined Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Pathum Nissanka as the fourth players to achieve this impressive record in the 50-over format within the same year.
Stepping into History with 1000 Runs in ODIs
Entering the realm of history, Kohli’s unwavering determination and exceptional skills were put on display during his match in 2023. Notably, the cricket maestro, now 34 years old, made an indelible impact by surpassing Sachin Tendulkar‘s record, securing the most number of years with 1000 runs in ODIs. Kohli’s consistent ability to perform at such an exceptional level has been a defining characteristic of his illustrious career, as he had previously achieved this monumental milestone in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019, before accomplishing it once again in the present year of 2023.
Sachin Tendulkar with god of cricket Virat Kohli pic.twitter.com/zmztejNBBB
— Kevin (@imkevin149) November 2, 2023
An Unforgettable Journey
In an intense World Cup 2023 clash against Sri Lanka at the renowned Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Virat Kohli’s pursuit of this historic milestone was realized with an impressive 34 runs. Despite facing challenges, including a rare duck against England at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, his overall performance throughout the year has been nothing short of spectacular.
Kohli’s memorable journey was highlighted by an unbeaten century during India’s triumphant seven-wicket victory against Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune. Adding to his illustrious record, he solidified his stature with a brilliant 95 runs, making a significant contribution to India’s thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand led by Tom Latham at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Pune.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, on Tuesday, October 31, achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the third fastest bowler to secure 100 wickets in ODIs. His outstanding performance during Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh at the renowned Eden Gardens in Kolkata led to this historic accomplishment.
A Landmark Moment
In the thrilling encounter, Shaheen clinched his 100th wicket in only his 51st match, dismissing Tigers’ opening batter Tanzid Hasan Tamim. The left-arm fast bowler displayed exceptional skill as he struck Tamim on the pads, prompting the on-field umpire to raise his finger. Despite Tamim’s referral to the third umpire using the Decision Review System (DRS), the replays confirmed the ball crashing into the stumps, upholding the on-field decision. Bangladesh lost their first wicket with the scoreboard reading 0 in just 0.5 overs.
Shaheen Afridi soars high yet again with another feat to his name 🦅#CWC23 | #PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/IlQQ6P5xYK
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) October 31, 2023
Surpassing Preceding Records
Shaheen Shah Afridi not only secured this feat in record time but also outshone the accomplishments of esteemed bowlers preceding him. He surpassed the record of the fastest pacer, previously held by Mitchell Starc, who attained the milestone in August 2016 during an ODI against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Legacy of Excellence
Moreover, Shaheen shattered the long-standing record held by Saqlain Mushtaq, becoming the fastest Pakistani bowler to claim 100 wickets in ODIs. Saqlain had set this record on May 12, 1997, during an ODI against Sri Lanka in Gwalior. It is notable that among the Pakistani fast bowlers, the accomplished Shaheen Shah Afridi follows in the footsteps of the legendary Waqar Younis, who achieved the 100-wicket mark back in February 1993 against Zimbabwe in Sharjah.
Beyond ODIs
Demonstrating his prowess beyond ODIs, Shaheen has made significant contributions in Tests and T20Is as well. Since his debut in 2018, he has garnered 105 wickets in Tests and 64 wickets in T20Is. His exceptional journey began with a strong performance in the U19 World Cup in New Zealand. Notably, he played a pivotal role in Lahore Qalandars’ consecutive victories in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
A Testament to Talent and Dedication
Shaheen Shah Afridi’s rapid rise to 100 ODI wickets within 51 matches underlines his exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to the sport. As he continues to leave an indelible mark on the cricketing world, his journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers worldwide. With his remarkable achievements, Afridi has solidified his place in the annals of cricket history, etching his name as one of Pakistan’s most formidable and promising fast bowlers.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has recently expressed admiration for India’s dominant performance in the ongoing 2023 ICC World Cup. With India securing victories in all six matches, Akhtar highlighted the team’s exceptional display across various aspects of the game. Although the recent batting performance against England in Lucknow was relatively modest, India’s fierce bowling attack, led by Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, proved instrumental in securing a remarkable win. This triumph not only solidified India’s leading position on the points table but also exacerbated England’s struggles in the tournament, leaving them virtually eliminated.
India’s Remarkable Bowling Transformation
In his analysis, Akhtar emphasized the transformative impact of Shami’s inclusion in India’s playing eleven following Hardik Pandya’s injury. Acknowledging Shami’s outstanding performances against New Zealand and England, Akhtar credited India’s ability to win matches through their bowling prowess, showcasing a shift from their traditional reliance on batting strength. He commended the collective effort of the Indian bowling unit, particularly recognizing the strategic brilliance of fast bowler Bumrah.
India’s Path to World Cup Glory
Looking ahead, Akhtar voiced his confidence in India’s potential to secure their third ODI World Cup trophy, highlighting the team’s upcoming matches against Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the Netherlands. Expressing optimism, he emphasized the significance of maintaining their unbeaten streak en route to the final, setting the stage for a potential historic ICC World Cup victory. However, Akhtar cautioned against compromising the successful bowling unit once Pandya returns to full fitness, warning against the potential detriment of a partially fit Pandya’s inclusion at the expense of a bowler.
Akhtar’s Praise for India and its Response to Criticism
Addressing skepticism surrounding his praise for the Indian team, Akhtar reiterated the exceptional nature of India’s performance, particularly in their ability to defend a modest total with a significant margin of victory. Undeterred by criticism, Akhtar reaffirmed his admiration for India’s exceptional cricketing prowess, urging acknowledgment and appreciation of their commendable achievements.
Shoaib Akhtar’s Perspective on Virat Kohli
Shifting focus, Akhtar’s history of praise extends beyond team performances to individual players, notably including former Indian team captain Virat Kohli. Reminiscing on Kohli’s resilience during a challenging phase in his career, Akhtar highlighted the pivotal role played by Kohli’s consistent century-scoring performances, leading to India’s victories. Recognizing Kohli’s contribution to the team’s success, Akhtar emphasized the significance of Kohli’s monumental centuries during crucial chases, solidifying his status as a crucial asset for the Indian cricket team.
In a comparison between Kohli and the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, Akhtar acknowledged Tendulkar’s status as one of the greatest batsmen while highlighting the challenges Tendulkar faced as a captain. Drawing parallels, Akhtar expressed confidence in Kohli’s eventual resurgence, expecting him to return to his prolific scoring form once he finds his equilibrium.
In summary, Akhtar’s acknowledgment of India’s exceptional performance and his recognition of individual players’ contributions underscore the team’s formidable presence in the 2023 ICC World Cup, setting the stage for a potential historic triumph in the coming days.
1000 Runs in ODIs: Kohli’s Cricket Legacy
Shaheen Shah Afridi: Fastest to 100 ODI Wickets
ICC World Cup: Shoaib Akhtar says, ‘Mai India ki tareef kyu na karu’
South Africa’s World Cup dreams have taken a major hit.
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