Corbin Bosch looks to secure Test spot

THE Corbin Bosch the world has seen in the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo is a completely different player to what the domestic scene has experienced over the years.

The 30-year-old has been able to elevate his game, going from lacking consistency with the ball in domestic cricket to being a lot tidier in Test cricket.

Before the Test in Bulawayo, Bosch had only one five-wicket haul in red ball cricket, a feat that tells the tale about his career.

Reflecting on the last eight months of his career, where he has been in and around the Proteas Test team on a regular basis including being included in the squad for World Test Championship final, Bosch highlighted that he has been inspired to improve his overall game.

To help South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 328-runs in the first Test, Bosch claimed his first Test fiver - his second in red ball cricket, and also scored his maiden Test century - the first of his professional career.

"I think in international cricket, you realise how fine your margins really are, especially coming from a bowling standpoint. I think watching the game at Lord's really inspired me a lot, watching how KG and a bunch of the Australian bowlers, went about their business in that game," Bosch told the media on Wednesday.

"It was incredibly special. It actually inspired me and made me realise how good these guys really are, competing with the best in the world.

"It made me believe that's where I want to be, that's what I want to aspire to in my cricketing career - to be on that level (like) those guys were delivering day in, day out, time and time again.

"Their execution and plans were, I would pretty much say, perfect. It was an absolute spectacle just to watch from the side, let alone to play.

"Being able to watch all the guys live, I think a lot of the time people get fooled by what you see on TV, but watching people operate in person makes you realise and appreciate how they really are.

"It's inspired me to work on my game a bit more and be more consistent, be a lot sharper."

With Bosch finally coming to his own, that places Shukri Conrad in a difficult spot, a spot any coach would embrace.

Bosch is competing for the same spot as other quicks Nandre Burger, Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi who are all world class bowlers.

Bosch told the media on Wednesday that he told Conrad that he means business and that he is fighting for a spot in the starting XI of the full strength Proteas Test team.

"I think we have a healthy competition in South Africa at the moment. And I said to Shukri in Arendelle that I'm going to make his job as hard as possible, whether it's with the bat and or the ball," said Bosch.

"But I think we're in a fortunate position as cricket in South Africa that it's such a good and healthy competition that it forces the guys at the top to be at their best. And I don't know where I stand in the picking order, but it doesn't bother me.

"If I represent my country, I just want to give it my best. If I'm on the side, I will support the guys to the end. So, to me, I don't really focus on that. I just focus on the task at hand and just give my best whenever I get an opportunity."

Bosch and the Proteas Test squad will be looking to complete a series whitewash when the second and final Test of the series against Zimbabwe gets underway from Sunday, July 6 in Bulawayo.