On Thursday, middle-order batsman, Temba Bavuma was announced as the new captain of the limited-overs side of the South African cricket team. He now becomes the first black African to be put permanently as the skipper of the Protea cricket team.
Along with Temba Bavumra, opener Dean Elger was also appointed as the new Test captain – both replace Quinton de Kock, who was temporarily handed the reins when Faf du Plessis stepped down from captaincy duties. South Africa recently lost 2-0 to Pakistan, and de Kock had expressed his uneasiness with the added pressure in leading the Test side.
Temba Bavuma, who was also the first black cricketer to hit a Test century for the Proteas in 2016, understands the magnitude of responsibilities he will have, on and off the field. However, he hopes that he and his side will bring back the good days for South Africa cricket and more than just the political importance.
“I understand the deeply rooted significance of it all. In being the first black African (cricket) captain in our country – you don’t have to look too far in our history and our political situation in our country – so I can completely understand why people in our country would celebrate it for what it is.
“I’d be lying if I said it does not make me think of where everything started for me, and how I’ve been able to go through a journey and get to this point. But combined with being known as the first black African captain, I’d also like to be known as someone who led the team very well and created a legacy for himself,” Temba Bavuma told the reporters.
Captaincy offer came as a surprise to me: Temba Bavuma
While the right-hander has played just 6 ODIs and 8 T20Is, he has impressed the selectors and the players with his character in the dressing room as well as his cricket, of course, in the past year.
The 30-year-old is entrusted to lead South Africa in the upcoming 3 ICC events – T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022, and the 50-over World Cup in 2023 in India. Temba Bavuma is also elected the vice-captain of the Test team. His first challenge as a skipper will be when in the home series against Pakistan.
“I was offered the position as captain and it came to me as a surprise, but it was a no-brainer. I don’t think a lot of people would turn down this type of honour and privilege.
“Obviously there’s anxiety about not knowing what to expect but a lot of comfort comes from the fact that I know my players and the people who have entrusted me with the decision, I draw a lot of confidence from that because those are people of stature,” the newly-appointed white-ball skipper added.
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