The whole attack started with T20 World Cup 2022 where he fell short as a batsman. His best innings came against Pakistan where he scored 19 balls 36 in a losing cause. In rest of the matches, he couldn’t find his feet. In fact his last 50 score against Ireland in 2021.
The Revival Process of Temba Bavuma
There was brief break between T20 World Cup and next international cricket series for South Africa. It was 3 match ODI series against England. For South Africa, it was a must win series to keep their direct qualification to the World Cup 2023 hopes alive.
Temba Bavuma tried to lead the team from the front and sealed the opening position alongside Quinton de Kock. In the first match, he scored 28 balls 36 and gave the team start they needed. The team scored 299 runs and in the end won the match against England.
In the second match, South Africa were chasing 343 runs to win the series. Batting alongside injured De Kock, Bavuma scored 102 balls 109, providing a match winning platform to the team. Towards the back side, David Miller scored a scintillating half century and won the match with four balls remaining in a typical Miller style six over long off.
Bavuma looked good in all three matches, it looked that he wasn’t playing for himself. All he intended to do was to provide a solid start to the team and he successfully did so in all three matches. He scored 180 runs over strike rate of 115 which are quite good numbers from a opening batsman.
Captaincy Is Strong Side Of Bavuma
If one thing that is really characteristic of Bavuma then it is his captaincy. He has the ability to keep the team enact, allowing the players to get in their role and play it skillfully when the decisive hour comes. He is a charismatic captain by his nature.
Also, Bavuma is well ahead in his game reading ability. Being a captain is a real job isolated from being a batter or bowler. And here, the players have confessed themselves about their belief in Bavuma’s captaincy.
Now, everyone has to consider the fact that there is no AB De Villiers in the team, there is no Hashim Amla, there is no Faf Du Plessis, there is Dale Steyn and a number of other experienced players who are great asset to the team just for the experience they bring.
It means that Bavuma has the responsibility of building a team rather than carrying a settled eleven. In that case, there will be losses and along with that comes learning.
Temba Bavuma can lead and especially in the field he knows his options well. Using Anrich Nortje is two edged sword and some will think that he should be used upfront.
Contrary to presupposed tactics, Bavuma went with Nortje when England were cruising past to victory in the first ODI. And he did the job for the team.
Temba Bavuma in ODIs
- 875 runs in 21 inns
- Average : 46.05
- 3 centuries and 2 90s
- Only South African captain to whitewash India
- First South African captain to win series v England in 7 years