Forget his average, there is certainly merit in selecting Temba Bavuma in the Test side, writes Ravi “The Heavy Roller” Reddy.
It was 4 years ago, almost to the day, that many witnessed Temba Bavuma do something extraordinary.
Bavuma, after a couple of false starts and moderate fifties during his Test career, scored a magnificent Test match century against England.
This was by no means a gentle English bowling line up either. Stalwarts in the form of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad were present coupled with a young “up and comer” Ben Stokes.
Stokes at this point was single-handedly dominating the match scoring an impressive 250, pasting a much younger Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander all over Newlands (with distinct favouritism for the railway stand).
Indeed, the former skipper from Langa Cricket Club did something that not many patrons wouldn’t have expected to happen at Newlands on that faithful day.
Alas, Temba’s form would continue to dip but came exceptionally close in Australia’s tour of South Africa in 2018.
Most people would remember this particular tour for the infamous scandal, “Sandpaper-gate” a considerably different reason than the lead character in this piece. Bavuma dominated the Australian bowling attack (comprising of Starc and Lyon) and was unfortunately left stranded on 95.
The nation and the cricket-supporting public felt sorrow, none more so than Morne Morkel who edged a delivery straight to first slip. Since then Bavuma managed to notch up 3 more Test fifties (and 2 ducks) in 19 innings.
These were two away half-centuries against Sri Lanka and one against Pakistan during their tour of South Africa.
It was during the tour of India that our batting order was under severe scrutiny as there was only one occasion where the batting order happened to score a reasonable total, where Elgar and De Kock were the master showmen.
Unfortunately, the Protea Fire was stupendously extinguished, in which two particular batsmen in the form of Bavuma and De Bruyn were under a “Dragnet-like” spotlight.
To be fair, this was an awesome Indian team which have topped the world Test rankings for over 4 years now. With a wealth of fast and spin bowling talents available to the Indian camp, it is almost inevitable that Bavuma would not come to the party.
Bavuma’s tally at the end of South Africa’s dismal tour of India was a meagre 96 runs at an average of 16 (18, 0, 8, 38, 32 & 0). Bavuma’s international Test average is just as minuscule sitting at 31 (Firs-Class average = 36).
But as the title suggests, there is certainly merit in selecting Temba Bavuma.
Going beyond the statistics, Bavuma’s work rate is exceptional being the first to arrive and the last to leave a net session and team practice. His leadership potential is significant and has many competencies in relationship and team building.
While we live in a world where “stats don’t lie” and the “weight of runs” will determine selection, the soft skills in the realm of communication and forming a cohesive unit are still lacking from our beloved Proteas.
It is these competencies the selectors and CSA management are looking for in the eventual successor for role of team skipper.
Bavuma was not so long ago given the role of vice-captain during the tour of India. Unfortunately “form” was the eventual determinant and led to Bavuma’s demise and benching.
The former vice-captain was injured during the first Test at Supersport Park against England. It was highly likely that the new team management (with Mark Boucher at the helm) would have omitted Bavuma from the team and gone with one of the potential debutants.
However, the SA cricket-supporting public was almost split down the middle with Bavuma’s omission for the 2nd Test at Newlands.
The Proteas management team only made one change to the team which was a “no brainer” (Malan for Markram). However, the batting order without the services of Bavuma was a major talking point.
Currently, we have the following batting averages:
• *Bavuma = 31
• Du Plessis = 40.86
• Zubayr Hamza = 21.57
• Rassie van der Dussen = 41.67
• Dean Elgar = 39
• Quinton de Kock = 38.6
Depending on how Hamza performs in the second innings at Newlands will determine whether he will feature in the 3rd Test taking place at St Georges Park, Port Elizabeth.
However, there is indeed a catch (please excuse the pun). Bavuma was one of the players that were recently released to play with their respective franchises in SA’s domestic 4-Day competition.
A lot is riding on Temba’s performance. If the former vice-captain scores big against the Knights at the Wanderers, we may see the young stalwart return to the Proteas starting line up.
Who do you think should stay and who should go?
Sound off your comments below.
Yours in peace, love and cricket.
Follow Ravi “The Heavy Roller” Reddy on Twitter.
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