debut: 11/13/02
64,354 runs
Captain Fantastic
The current world Test champion team is Temba Bavuma's and he is owning it.
Captain Temba triumphs
Temba Bavuma was appointed captain ahead of the 2023-25 WTC cycle, and the role has suited him well. His nine wins in the first ten Tests as captain are the joint-most with England's Percy Chapman.
Bavuma the batter also had a great time. He finished the cycle with 711 runs in 13 innings at an average of 59.30 - the second best among 153 batters who played at least five innings. In his last five Tests, Bavuma has had six 50-plus scores. Aiden Markram with three is the next best for South Africa.
For the first time in his career, possibly even in his life, Bavuma can be "recognised as more than just a black African cricketer," as he put it in the post-match press conference. He can be seen - really seen, for the person, the leader and the cricketer that he is. All of it can be summed up in the word his batting coach used to describe him on the third evening, when Bavuma batted with a strained hamstring and deep sense of self-belief: tough.
Being the first carried the responsibility of being the representative. In Bavuma, South Africa saw the totality of their black African batting talent which magnified his every performance.
When he succeeded, as he did with his first century in 2016, it was hailed as a turning point for black cricket. When he failed, it was the entire demographics' failure. That is a hell of a big thing to carry around
Captain Temba triumphs
Temba Bavuma was appointed captain ahead of the 2023-25 WTC cycle, and the role has suited him well. His nine wins in the first ten Tests as captain are the joint-most with England's Percy Chapman.
Bavuma the batter also had a great time. He finished the cycle with 711 runs in 13 innings at an average of 59.30 - the second best among 153 batters who played at least five innings. In his last five Tests, Bavuma has had six 50-plus scores. Aiden Markram with three is the next best for South Africa.
For the first time in his career, possibly even in his life, Bavuma can be "recognised as more than just a black African cricketer," as he put it in the post-match press conference. He can be seen - really seen, for the person, the leader and the cricketer that he is. All of it can be summed up in the word his batting coach used to describe him on the third evening, when Bavuma batted with a strained hamstring and deep sense of self-belief: tough.
Being the first carried the responsibility of being the representative. In Bavuma, South Africa saw the totality of their black African batting talent which magnified his every performance.
When he succeeded, as he did with his first century in 2016, it was hailed as a turning point for black cricket. When he failed, it was the entire demographics' failure. That is a hell of a big thing to carry around
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