Injured often, yet never voiced complaints, Each scar held hope, yet never proclaimed. Now the tale is complete, the crown adorns his head, Fulfilled the dream, once thought unsaid.
These lines perfectly suit the South African cricket team, which recently made history at London's Lord's Cricket Ground. Under Temba Bavuma's captaincy, the South African team emerged as Test champions, fulfilling a dream long-awaited by fans. The victory at the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia in the third cycle (2023-25) has provided new hopes for South African cricket.
The orchestrator of this historic win was South African captain Temba Bavuma. When Bavuma took over as Test captain, no one imagined that he would achieve such results. Now, under his leadership, the team's fortunes have brightened. South Africa had previously reached the semifinals or finals of ICC tournaments, but their only title win was in 1998 when they won the Wills International Cup, later known as the ICC Champions Trophy. Now, after 27 years, they have secured another ICC event title.
For 35-year-old Temba Bavuma, the journey from the Black-majority township of Langa in Cape Town to Lord's was not an easy one. Bavuma dreamed of playing at Lord’s as a ten-year-old and had the talent from an early age, earning a sports scholarship at 11. He lacked neither height nor strength but played with patience and technique. After joining St. David's Marist College in Johannesburg, his skills improved significantly. During this time, Bavuma was also associated with the Soweto Cricket Club, where coach Geoffrey Toyana guided him.
Temba Bavuma's hard work paid off as he debuted in First-Class cricket for Gauteng at 18. Then, in the 2010-11 season, he joined the Lions franchise. His strong backfoot technique allowed him to score over 45 in his second season. By 2013-14, he was appointed vice-captain of the Lions, and with impressive domestic performances, he became part of the South Africa A team and was selected for the Test team at the end of 2014.
Source: aajtak
Temba Bavuma made his Test debut on December 26, 2014, against West Indies in Gqeberha, scoring ten runs. In his early years, Bavuma could not make a significant impact on international cricket. Despite that, he was appointed as captain of South Africa's T20 and ODI teams in March 2021. After the team's disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup 2022, Bavuma stepped down from T20 captaincy. However, Cricket South Africa (CSA) maintained its trust in him, handing him the Test team command at the beginning of 2023, succeeding Dean Elgar.
When Temba Bavuma was appointed South Africa's Test captain, questions were raised about his suitability. He was tagged as a quota player and often faced body shaming. Implemented in 2016, this policy required South Africa's cricket team to include at least six Black players in their playing XI, including at least two Black Africans.
This rule applies as a season average, not mandating every match but maintaining the average throughout the season. For instance, in the WTC final, South Africa’s team included Black African players Temba Bavuma, Lungi Ngidi, and Kagiso Rabada. Keshav Maharaj, an Indian-origin player, was also one of four Black players in the playing XI, but it's possible that the WTC cycle average was six or higher.
Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada, alongside Temba Bavuma, played a crucial role in South Africa's title victory. In a nation that endured apartheid for years, Temba Bavuma emerged as a new hero. Bavuma got his name from his grandmother, meaning 'hope' in Zulu, and lived up to that name by refusing to concede defeat.
The WTC final illustrated his determination as Bavuma injured his hamstring during the chase against Australia, visibly struggling with pain. Despite the team coach Shukri Conrad's apprehension that the injury might worsen, Bavuma refused to leave the field and continued to play. He and Aiden Markram built a 147-run partnership for the third wicket, taking the match away from Australia.
Source: aajtak
Before becoming the Test captain, Bavuma's batting average was 34.53 in 54 matches. Post captaincy, his leadership enhanced the team's fate and his game, with a Test batting average of 56.93 in ten matches. Under Bavuma's leadership, South Africa has remained unbeaten in Test cricket, recording the most wins by a captain without losing a Test. South Africa won 9 out of 10 Tests, drawing one match against the West Indies under his captaincy.
Temba Bavuma is South Africa's first Black African cricketer to score a Test century and their first Black African captain. With the title win, Bavuma responded to critics who doubted him and the team. Bavuma remarked, 'As a team, we have arrived here. Some doubted our journey, stating we reached here by defeating weaker teams. This win is for our countrymen, a moment to celebrate. It might take us days to fully embrace it, but I am sure the nation celebrates this moment joyfully.'
It's fair to say, Temba Bavuma has changed the course of South African cricket history. Although not heralded among the best cricketers of the present era, his patience in the game and leadership abilities are commendable. Best wishes to Bavuma for his future endeavors...
Temba Bavuma's Test Career
Total Matches: 64Runs: 3708Average: 38.22Centuries: 4Fifties: 25Sixes: 16Fours: 425
Temba Bavuma's ODI Career
Total Matches: 48Runs: 1847Average: 43.97Centuries: 5Fifties: 7Sixes: 26Fours: 186
Temba Bavuma's T20I Career
Total Matches: 36Runs: 670Average: 21.61Centuries: 0Fifties: 1Sixes: 16Fours: 62
