TEMBA WALKS THE TALK

WHITE BALL SKIPPER RECRUITED BY SUNRISERS FOR THE SA20 Bavuma lauds how the Proteas batters ‘took on the game’ and produced the goods.

“It’s one thing to say you’re going to take on the game but you’ve still got to go out and do it,” Proteas captain Temba Bavuma pointed out before expressing his delight that his batting line-up did indeed go out and do it in their ODI series win over England.

Even when losing the dead-rubber third ODI by 59 runs in Kimberley on Wednesday night, South Africa still batted with marvellous intent, scoring 287 runs in 43 overs (6.67 runs per over).

Their winning totals in the two previous matches were 347/5 and 298/7.

“Through the series it became a lot clearer what it meant when we were speaking about expressing ourselves and taking on the game,” Bavuma said at the end of the series.

“Even today [Wednesday] we were always up on par with the run-rate. It’s a big step for us and it gives us confidence, even though it’s only three games and it’s still a long journey.

“We can be very proud of how

we have performed. It’s one thing to say you’re going to take on the game, but you’ve still got to go out and do it.

“The skill has always been there, it’s just the mindset that has changed. We’re looking for guys to be match-winners, encourage them if it is their day to go out and win the game,” Bavuma added.

Heinrich Klaasen, who led the charge in the third ODI with his fiery 80 off 62 balls, spoke afterwards about the pressure being placed on players by selectors who don’t allow them to fail when they are playing with freedom and taking aggressive options.

Bavuma said, in the rarefied air of international cricket, the responsibility is still on the play

ers to produce the goods, even while taking risks.

“International sport is ruthless and if you are looking for security when you fail, well I’ve never felt that,” Bavuma said.

“But as players we can’t be looking for comfort, it is the responsibility of the player to execute the way we want to play.

“We want to stretch ourselves, and then the results will take care of themselves.”

Meanwhile, It was announced yesterday that Bavuma will turn out for the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the second half of the SA20.

He was snubbed by team owners at the draft auction last year but his impressive Proteas form has attracted attention.

CHUFFED. Proteas captain Temba Bavuma is proud of the way his team handled various situations in their recently completed 2-1 ODI series win over England.