Cape Town — “Bavuma, Bavuma, Bavuma!”
A name that has not echoed around a South African cricket ground with such fervour since that magical day at Newlands seven years ago.
🚨 RESULT | SOUTH AFRICA WIN BY 5 WICKETS
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) January 29, 2023
Captain Temba Bavuma's third ODI century set the platform for the remaining batters to pick up where he left off and chase down the 343-run target 🏏
The Betway ODI Series is sealed ✅#SAvENG #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/kEr09Qiu5p
But for all the historical significance of that sunlit day in Cape Town, this arguably meant even more to the man himself, South Africa’s white-ball captain Temba Bavuma, at the Mangaung Oval on Sunday.
Bavuma has been the centre of criticism for the past six months in SA cricket. The levels of condemnation crossed a line that no SA cricketer has ever had to endure.
But on Sunday he was in the centre of Bloemfontein taking in the applause upon reaching his third one-day international century that paved the way for the Proteas to claim a series win over world champions England.
The vivid outpour of emotion upon reaching the milestone was therefore understandably personal for Bavuma.
𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐍𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐫𝐮𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐞𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧!
The Proteas seal a series win by becoming only the second team to chase 340+ in an ODI against England.
Bavuma top scored with 109 off 102 👏#SAvENG pic.twitter.com/83c3Av7I4D
The scream was the initial release. It was followed by a leap into the air. And then came the thumping of the name on his back followed by the crest on his chest.
Bavuma would undoubtedly have questioned his own ability, and even more depressingly his self worth over the last period. This was the self assurance that will go a long way to healing those mental wounds.
Even more impressive than the celebration was the innings itself. It was Bavuma’s most assured period spent at the crease in his nine-year international career.
The intent was there from the outset. Then came the innovation. But most importantly there was the control that beautifully came to the fore when he unleashed a sweetly-timed cover drive that raced over outfield to bring up his century. It was spellbinding.
That is a special knock from Temba Bavuma! 🙌
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) January 29, 2023
It's his third ODI 💯in 22 matches - his second as a captain 🏏
UNREAL BATTING!
📺 Stream #SAvENG live: https://t.co/0BMWdeFwIB pic.twitter.com/UDAEWIiT1S
The fact that it came to an end with an attempted leg-side ramp that deflected onto middle stump was almost the rubber stamp that Bavuma, and this SA team who are in the midst of a revolution under new coach Shukri Conrad, will be willing to shoot for the stars without any fear of failure.
Bavuma’s dismissal, though, left his teammates with some work to do still if they were to complete the third highest chase in SA’s ODI history.
Inspired by their captain leading from the front, they did just that through an unbroken 65-run partnership between David Miller (58 not out) and Marco Jansen (32 not out) which followed contributions from Rassie van der Dussen (38), Aiden Markram (49) and Heinrich Klaasen (27).
Considering where this team were just a few days ago, it has been a remarkable couple of matches that has SA believing again that they may yet qualify automatically for the World Cup in India later this year.
A stunning run-chase from South Africa as they take an unassailable lead in the ODI series 🔥#SAvENG | 📝 https://t.co/PGCzEvxFLF pic.twitter.com/64svNGMALH
— ICC (@ICC) January 29, 2023
There are still undoubtedly factors that need addressing once the celebrations abate.
The death bowling remains a cause for concern after England pummelled 60 off the final four overs of their innings. This was primarily due to England captain Jos Buttler striking an equally sublime 94 not out off 82 balls.
Keshav Maharaj also struggled after replacing Tabraiz Shamsi as the lone spinner in the SA team, with Harry Brook (80) and Moeen Ali (51) enjoying the left-arm spin that was on offer.
But all these are welcoming problems for a SA team, and crucially their captain, who has recaptured the enjoyment factor of playing for the national side again.
Scorecard
England: 342/7 (Buttler 94*, Brook 80, Moeen 51, Nortje 2/64, Parnell 1/54)
South Africa: 345/7 (Bavuma 109, Miller 58*, Jansen 32*, Markram 49, Rashid 2/72)
South Africa won by five to win the series 2-0
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