Going into the final four overs of the Proteas’ third Pool A clash against the mercurial Sri Lankans, you would have thought: ‘Here we go again’ but David Miller delivered on the biggest stage when it mattered most, writes Alasdair Fraser.

It is impressive how many South Africans are plying their trade for other international teams in the world of sport, but what is equally impressive is that this Proteas lineup is shaping up to be their best XI on the park and everyone in that team is playing their part, and Miller fulfilled his finishing role with aplomb.

In what has been a tumultuous week for cricket in Mzansi, there is no doubt that this Proteas group have all the ingredients to go all the way. What has been a major shift, and shining light, in all this madness that has played out over the past week is the brilliant leadership shown by the Proteas captain Temba Bavuma.

And that mature leadership beyond his years was backed up by a fine innings that was stopped by a catch that would have gone for six runs. These are the fine margins between failure and success, which is the hallmark of the T20 game, and this ICC T20 World Cup has captured the imagination of the cricketing world with games going down to the wire.

The Proteas have a lethal bowling lineup that is backed up by some excellent fielding – an ingredient that has been lacking in recent times – and our bowling lineup has the potential to strike at any moment. Bavuma using Aiden Markram to open the bowling also gives the team several options at the backend of their opponent’s innings.

Miller’s heroics in the final over of a pulsating contest would not have occurred had it not been for the 46 runs by the Proteas skipper. If ever a calm head was needed, Bavuma put his hand up.

Yes, that run-out of Rassie van der Dussen was unfortunate and tugged at the scar tissue of previous World Cup failures, but things could have gone south quickly. And it almost did after that brilliant hat-trick by Wanindu Hasaranga.

Some may say that Bavuma does not deserve to be captain and that he is too slow for the T20 format, but sometimes all you need is a calm head and stability while others around him wield the willow.

You don’t necessarily need to hit sixes, but just keep the scoreboard ticking with twos, threes, and fours without taking risks. Temba is that man. He is also the right man to front the media in our darkest hours.

But it has perhaps been all too much for the Proteas skipper and it may take time for him to digest what has gone on with the whole Knee-Gate Saga. However, one thing is for sure: our captain cares deeply about all his teammates and he is willing to do everything in his power to ensure South Africa have a fighting chance of winning this T20 World Cup.

Photo: Cricket South Africa