Lions welcome back Bavuma for crucial clash with the Titans
THE HIGHVELD Lions are ignoring all rumours about AB de Villiers being in the opposition ranks tomorrow night for the crunch T20 Challenge game against the Titans, and in fact are looking forward to having their own superstar return to their batting line-up.
Temba Bavuma returned from Australia last week having played an influential role in South Africa’s historic third consecutive Test series success there. He greatly enhanced his reputation and developed a cult following after that stunning run out of Dave Warner in the first Test. Bavuma has been in excellent form this season as well and scored two crucial half-centuries in Australia, one of which came in the second Test in Hobart and helped to seal the series.
“He has done well for us in this format before, he’s in form with the bat but he’s also a gun fielder for us, he’ll lead us in that department,” said Lions coach Geoffrey Toyana.
Bavuma’s inclusion will be a timely lift for the Lions who have been in excellent form in the last few weeks winning four of their last five matches. Much of that is down to a re-jig in the batting order, the most notable feature being the elevation of Mangaliso Mosehle to No 3 in the order, while some good form from Rassie van der Dussen has been allied with the return of a confident looking Reeza Hendricks from injury.
In their two wins against the Knights and Warriors at the weekend, the Lions smashed 63/0 and 62/0 in the respective PowerPlay periods. “There’s been a conscious effort to just play positively especially in the PowerPlay, we’ve given Rassie and Reeza – since he’s come back – a free licence and thankfully they’ve performed very well,” said Toyana.
Backing up the solid batting has been some very good bowling led by Hardus Viljoen – who’s taken 14 wickets – and supplemented by a trio of spinners, who provide depth and variety.
Twenty two year old leftarm spinner Bjorn Fortuin has been the outstanding contributor alongside internationals, Eddie Leie and skipper Aaron Phangiso. Fortuin has shown an ability to adapt regardless of when in the innings he’s utilised and regularly opens the bowling.
“With (Leie and Phangiso) in the team it’s been tough for him, but he’s always taken the opportunity. Phangi’s been very good with his leadership, always communicating with the bowlers, so that’s been a positive.”
In contrast to the Lions’ recent form, the defending champions have endured a mini-slump, losing their last two matches. In much the same way Bavuma will further lift the Lions, the Titans could do with a boost from arguably the best T20 batsman in the world.
De Villiers is looking for game time ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka later this month and a bit of bashing in a few T20 games may be ideal to help the South African captain get his eye in. However, Toyana pointed out there was more to the Titans. “Heino Kuhn’s been brilliant for them again and Heinrich Klaasen has come in this season and played very well.”
Farhaan Behardien is still the competition’s joint top scorer with an aggregate of 267 runs and if De Villiers is fit to start he will further enhance a batting order that contains terrific power in David Wiese and Albie Morkel.
“We can’t look too far ahead. This is a very big game, which just so happens to be a derby, which is always a feisty game anyway. So, it is one to look forward to, and we hope we can continue to take this positive energy into this game,” said Toyana.