An opportunity for Temba Bavuma to make his mark against England is a must, writes Alasdair Fraser.
Space needs to be made for him, it’s that simple. It hasn’t been easy for Bavuma, but nor has it for the Proteas’ top order over the past 18 months and the diminutive 29-year-old deserves a crack.
The South African batting unit, bar a few innings, has been woeful and at times it’s had a negative effect on Bavuma’s apprenticeship in becoming a seasoned Test regular.
The Proteas’ batting stats have been poor in recent times. Since Pakistan toured here in 2018-19 only four centuries have been struck. Elgar (160), Quinton de Kock 129, 111 and Faf du Plessis 103.
It’s a worrying statistic and batting has become our Achilles Heel. And when last have we seen a 100-run opening partnership? It becomes clear that this shines a blinding spotlight on the deficiencies of South Africa’s batting.
It’s not fair on the current set-up to point fingers because it’s still early days. We saw encouraging signs from Pieter Malan and Elgar at the top. Still, the Proteas should have clocked at least 400 runs in the first innings at Newlands.
Given the stats, perhaps that was too much to expect. The Proteas have been struggling to reach 300 runs over the past 14 months.
Our batting order has been brittle and although Bavuma has struggled he should not be the fall guy in this long-running narrative by being denied a run in the third Test
His batting in the recent MSL was forceful and with intent. Given he was in a terrible Jozi Stars team that couldn’t buy a win, that says he was finding a decent run of form. But injury put paid to that over Christmas.
The 39-Test batsman with a 31.24 average can’t really argue that anyone in the current Proteas batting lineup has set the world alight. We are still yet to see a century from a South African in this current series against England.
Bavuma should have added a second century 18 months ago when Morne Morkel was the last man out to leave him stranded on 95* against the Aussies at the Wanderers.
There has been scrutiny about his first-class average too (36.25) which includes SA A and semi-pro matches. If you take his 4-Day Series Franchise score alone, he averages 43.55 for the Lions. Not so bad is it?
What has also been fairly puzzling has been the lack of white-ball action in the green and gold.
Surely, given the dearth of black African batsmen making their mark in the South African domestic scene, Bavuma would have been afforded the opportunity to develop his game in all formats for the good of South African cricket?
I’m a fan of Aiden Markram but his Test record over the past 14 months is worse than Bavuma’s career average.
The man who hails from Langa deserves a crack at England and a chance to cement his place in the Proteas batting lineup.
We have nothing to lose and it could pay dividends – not only for the Proteas but for Temba Bavuma’s career.
We haven’t had great Black African Test batsmen and we are staring at one right now. Let’s not let this opportunity slip.
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