WHEN Dane Paterson's name came up in the full strength Test squad this year, there were a lot of fans around the country who could not understand how a 35-year-old medium pacer could be selected when there are younger and faster bowlers making good rounds in the domestic set-up.
A few months later, those fans have gotten a good understanding of Test coach Shukri Conrad's selection of Paterson as the seamer has picked up back-to-back five-fors and put South Africa in winning positions and most importantly closer to securing a spot in the World Test Championship final.
When Paterson took to social media following his first Test five-for, he had a special message for one of his 'haters'.
Hi to all the haters that doubted my selection. This one is for you. Thanks for all the negative comments about my selection. At the end of the day it’s not about you. It’s about the team. @PoppingCreaseSA please relook at my first class stats before having a GO at me. Cheers🍺 pic.twitter.com/bsQSoTHGhj
On Boxing Day, the right-arm seamer claimed yet another five-for as South Africa bowled out Pakistan for 211 before ending the opening day on 82/3 with Aiden Markram (47) and Temba Bavuma (4*) set to resume the hosts' innings on Day two.
Paterson (5/61) says he is fuelled by the hate and emphasised that players have freedom of speech just as the fans do on social media.
"If people have something to say abut you, they should take it because we all have freedom of speech," Paterson sais on Thursday.
"Those types of things also fuel you but you want to prove people wrong. Then again with proving people wrong, you put the team in good positions. I probably won't be a fan favourite because I'm 35 and I bowl a 124km/hs. Every player goes through it, I'm certainly not a fan favourite."
Debutant, Corbin Bosch, had a dream start to his career as he not only took his maiden wicket with his very first ball in Test cricket but also went on to return sparkling figures of 4/65 at home in Centurion.
Paterson added how special Bosch's debut was to witness as a teammate.
"Obviously, Corbin has the home conditions and has the knowledge but to have a debut like that and to be pushing for a five-for," he said. "I think it's everybody's dream. Having a debut like that, that's quite special."
While the duo took nine of the ten Pakistan wickets in just over two sessions, Kagiso Rabada was probably the best bowler on the day despite finishing wicketless on 0/35 in two sets of seven-over spells.
Paterson commanded the leader of the attack for not showing much signs of frustrations for individual success as his spells built enough pressure for the other bowlers to come into the attack and pick up wickets for the team.
"KG is really special. Even in the Sri Lanka Test series, he had a lot of plays and misses but for him to still keep on coming its good to see not getting down on himself," said Paterson.
"Keeping his head up because it can be frustrating and a quality bowler like him. In the second innings, you might be interviewing him here in the press-conference you never know."
Corbin Bosch had a dream debut at SuperSport Park today 🥹🇿🇦#SAvPAK | #SummerOfCricket
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) December 26, 2024
South Africa have their sights on the World Test Championship final as they need to win one of the two Tests against Pakistan to secure a spot. While the team has been modest about their chances throughout the cycle, saying very little about the possibility of playing in the final.
Though the final is still a long way away, Paterson finally revealed of the excitement in the camp for the possibility of featuring in that match in London next winter.
"Lord's is a very long way. It's a goal, everybody is speaking about it, the team is focused," he said. "Tomorrow is another day hopefully we can bat well and put us in a good position and then fire away in the second innings."
South Africa will resume on 82/3 and will be hoping to post a big score so as to unleash their strong pace attack with the hopes of taking a 1-0 lead in the series.