DA COSTA: South Africa’s Temba Bavuma shakes off SA20 snub

Temba Bavuma has suffered so many setbacks in the last three months that you would think he would have thrown in the towel by now. But not Bavuma.

He has bounced back with a vengeance and South Africa can expect much more from this 32-year-old, who was appointed captain of the country’s short-format program two years ago. There was a great deal of rumbling then, and it hasn’t subsided since when he took over from wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock, but Dean Elgar’s appointment as Test captain was welcomed with open arms.

It was a historic moment on March 4, 2021, when Bavuma became the first black man picked to lead the Proteas in a country where cricket and rugby are still considered a white man’s sport. Bavuma’s elevation came on the heels of rugby installing Siya Kolisi as captain of the Springboks. Kolisi made an immediate impact by leading South Africa to the 2019 World Cup and the country is now hoping Bavuma can pull off a similar feat by returning home with the World Cup, scheduled to be played in India later this year. But more on that later.

The stocky Bavuma stands 5-foot-4 and is dwarfed on the field when he stands next to his fast bowlers, but he has stood tall and laughed off the latest slap to the face he received when South Africa started its very own professional Twenty20 league.

Can you believe that the six teams in the league ignored their country’s very own captain in the auction, even though his price was a lowly $50,000 US? Even when some players dropped out for some reason or another, there were no takers. Take, for example, Joburg Super Kings picking Sibonelo Makhanya as a replacement for England’s Harry Brook. The top earner in this inaugural SA20 league was South African batsman Tristan Stubbs, who was claimed by Sunrisers Eastern Cape for $520,000 US, followed by fellow internationals Rilee Rossouw ($390,000) and Marco Jansen ($344,000).

Being the gentleman he is, Bavuma says he has moved on from this disappointment.

“It seems unusual, but it has happened this way, and there’s nothing I can really do about it, as unusual as it is,” Bavuma said. “People have to go on and I’m definitely one of those people who moves on with things. Whatever comes my way, comes my way. I always try to keep a smile on my face regardless of what is happening.”

Bavuma added that he has watched a number of the SA20 games and “I have been connecting with family.”

The arrival of World Cup champion England moved his focus from the SA20. He seems to have rediscovered his touch, with a brilliant century in a series-clinching win in Bloemfontein. Bavuma notched his third ODI ton, as he made 109 off 102 balls. It included a mighty six off Reece Topley and 14 boundaries.

In a high-scoring match, England piled on 342 for seven, and the home team replied with 347 for five with five balls to spare.

England skipper Jos Buttler scored a superb unbeaten 94 and Brook hit 80. Apart from Bavuma’s knock, South Africa got another unbeaten hard-hitting 58 from the ever-reliable David Miller. Rassie van der Dussen (38) and Aiden Markram (49) played useful knocks to keep alive South Africa’s hopes of an automatic selection for the next World Cup.

The ODI series ends in Kimberley on Wednesday, and Buttler’s England will looking to reverse a five-game slump.

INDIA VS. AUSTRALIA AHEAD

The series involving India and Australia has already been sold out, and that doesn’t come as a surprise as these are the two best Test nations. In previous years, the Ashes series involving England and Australia topped the charts, but now plays second fiddle to Australia versus India.

Both teams are likely to be at full strength, with both injured Aussies Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc expected to play in the first of four Tests that starts in Nagpur on Feb. 9. India will definitely be without ace pace man Jasprit Bumrah but is expected to field star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who has just been given the green light after a lengthy layoff following a knee surgery.

India, meanwhile takes on visiting New Zealand in the final Twenty 20 encounter on Wednesday after India won the second encounter by six wickets to tie the three-match encounter at 1-1.

In a low-scoring match, New Zealand made 88 for eight and India replied with 104 for four with one ball to spare.

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