Temba Bavuma to Lead Domestic Side Highveld Lions

Exciting young South African batsman Temba Bavuma, who is eyeing to make the number four spot his own in the national team, will lead the domestic team Highveld Lions, for the upcoming 2018-19 season, across all formats.

Meanwhile, Rassie van der Dussen will work as Bavuma’s deputy throughout the home season. Bavuma expressed his delight following an opportunity and admitted he is looking forward to it.

“I have always been eager to achieve this at some point in time and am grateful that the board has seen it fitting to give me this opportunity now,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Bavuma as saying.

However, uncertainty lies with how many matches he will be able to play as he is in fray for the Test side.

After the retirement of veteran AB de Villiers, Temba Bavuma had hinted to book his spot in the middle-order line-up.

“Being back at the Lions has been phenomenal and now I will get an opportunity to play a bigger and more meaningful role,” he added.

During the upcoming home summer, South Africa will host Pakistan and Sri Lanka respectively. It eventually means Bavuma will be busy with national commitments.

However, there’s a possibility of Bavuma becoming a part of the white-ball unit too after he named in South Africa A squad. The side will tour India for a tri-series, also involving Australia, later in August this year.

CEO of the franchise, Greg Fredericks, sees this as a great move. And is in line with the momentum the franchise has created of late.

“We have been announcing a lot of change as of late. And the team’s on-field leadership is the most recent decision by the board to achieve the objectives that we have set out for ourselves,” Fredericks said.

“Both Temba and Rassie have immense leadership skills. We strongly believe are the right combination when it comes to the execution of the team’s preparation. And also in guiding the team culture,” he maintained.

“We are set on securing silverware in the next season. And with the team leadership in place, we can now start taking the next steps towards that,” he concluded.

Also read: Tammy Beaumont powers England women to highest T20I score