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[Saba Sports News] Like many South Africans, Temba Bavuma watched last month’s men’s T20 World Cup final from afar. Unlike most, he knows firsthand the heartbreak of losing in tight circumstances. Bavuma captained South Africa in last year’s ODI World Cup and in the 2022 T20 World Cup, where they exited before the semifinals after a shock loss to the Netherlands.
Losing to India by seven runs in the final at Kensington Oval in Barbados was bittersweet. It was South Africa’s first men’s World Cup final in 18 tournaments across both white-ball formats.
Although Bavuma is not part of the current T20I squad due to his strike rate, he remains a key figure in the Test team, which he will lead in matches against West Indies next month. Seven members of his Test squad were at the T20 World Cup.
Bavuma is confident and proud of the team’s progress, saying, “The white-ball team are growing in leaps and bounds. They did us proud at the T20 World Cup. The guys are in good spirits and are raring to go. A lot more credit needs to be given to that group.”
He believes that the experience gained from reaching the final is invaluable, hoping the lessons will benefit his Test team. “The belief is there for that group of guys. The external pressures stay external. It’s not just in the T20 side; it’s in the 50-over and the Test sides too.”
Next month’s Tests against the West Indies will be challenging, especially since South Africa has not played a Test since February. Bavuma emphasizes the importance of their team philosophy and alignment, aiming to focus on their strengths despite the challenges.
Bavuma also acknowledges the influence of T20 cricket on Test matches, especially in terms of batting. “Batters are trying to score quicker and be more exciting. But in Test cricket, you must be comfortable leaving the ball. If a bowler is there for the taking, back yourself and go for it.”
South Africa’s bowlers will face a tough task, with Gerald Coetzee ruled out due to injury and other key bowlers like Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen unavailable. Bavuma hopes his team can take the resilience shown in the T20 World Cup to find ways to win despite the odds. They don’t need to play pretty cricket; they need to succeed no matter what challenges they face.