By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Cricket South Africa has congratulated Proteas batter Temba Bavuma on playing his 50th test match in the opening match of the Betway test series against Bangladesh.
Since making his debut on Boxing Day of 2014 against West Indies in Gqeberha, the 31-year-old has racked up 2 418 test runs at an average of 33.58 and a high score of 102 not-out. He also has a century and 17 half-centuries to his name and has gained a strong reputation as one of the Proteas’ most reliable fielders with 26 catches under his belt.
Bavuma, who is also the Proteas’ white ball captain and test team vice-captain, has cemented his role as one of the great leaders of the team and commands respect with his quiet but strong demeanour.
CSA CEO, Pholetsi Moseki extended the organisation’s congratulations to Bavuma, saying:
“On behalf of CSA, I would like to congratulate Temba on this wonderful milestone. To reach 50 test matches for your country is no small thing in a career that is only going from strength to strength.
“He has been a prolific character in the dressing room for our teams over the years and has become one of South Africa’s favourite sons.
“t has been a pleasure to watch his cricket grow, from his debut against the Windies, his maiden test century against England soon after, to him taking up the role of vice-captain of the test team and captain of the white-ball teams – he has served with a quiet grace that has assured us all that we have the right man for all of the roles he has taken on.
“Temba is also a role model both on and off the field and a credit to the organisation. He has not only been a servant of distinction of the game we all love, but a servant of the people of South Africa where he helps communities and assists in facilitating the unearthing and growth of future cricket stars through his own Temba Bavuma Foundation.
“We wish him many more test caps and even more runs in the future, starting with today’s very special fixture.”
Meanwhile an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 53 between Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne saw South Africa through to a solid 233 for four on the first day of the Betway first test against Bangladesh at Kingsmead in Durban on Thursday.
When bad light stopped play at 5.18pm CAT (SA, GMT+2) with 13.1 overs to go, South Africa could be well satisfied with their position, particularly as Bangladesh had won the toss and put the home team in to bat on a vividly green, well-grassed pitch that ultimately promised more than it delivered.
Half-centuries were forthcoming from skipper Dean Elgar and Bavuma, while Sarel Erwee (41 in 102 balls) made a valuable contribution to a century opening stand, the second in consecutive tests between himself and Elgar.
The Bangladeshis blew hot and cold on the day. It was understandable that they put the Proteas in to bat because they would rarely have seen such a green pitch.
But if there was any life to extract from the surface, the visitors signally failed to do so on a morning of indiscipline that allowed Elgar and Erwee to score at just under five runs to the over at times as they picked off a succession of half-volleys or unduly short deliveries.