Bavuma, Edgar to captain Protea teams
CSA’s Smith thanks outgoing skipper De Kock
Cricket SA has announced Dean Elgar as the new Proteas Test captain and Temba Bavuma will oversee the ODIs and T20s.
Opener Elgar will be in charge for the next cycle of the ICC World Test Championship while middle-order batsman Bavuma will lead the Proteas in the 2021 and 2022 ICC T20 World Cups as well as the ICC World Cup in 2023.
In confirming the news‚ Cricket SA director of cricket Graeme Smith thanked outgoing stand-in skipper Quinton de Kock.
“We are grateful to Quinton for the work he has put in as captain of the team in the limited overs formats and are indebted to him for stepping up while the national selection panel continued its search for the Test captain.
“We believe that we have the men who will lead the Proteas back to their winning ways of old. The pair brings the required stability in both leadership and form to turn the ship in the direction that will eventually bring trophies back to the cabinets.
“Temba has been a strong and influential voice in the team in recent times and has shown consistency on the field in all formats‚ solidifying his place as a leader.
“We are excited to have him lead the Proteas in the upcoming T20 World Cups as well as the 2023 World Cup in India. He will also be the Test team’s vice-captain‚ working closely with Dean to ensure continuity and stability in the squad.
“Dean has made no secret of his Test captaincy ambitions over the years and we are pleased to have a leader who is ready‚ willing and able to step up to the massive task of turning our Test cricket fortunes around.”
Bavuma said he was honoured and delighted to lead the Proteas for the first time.
“Captaining the Proteas has been a dream of mine for many years as those closest to me would know. This is one of the greatest honours of my life so far and I am looking forward to picking up where Quinny [de Kock] has left off in leading the team into the new culture that we have developed and continue to work on.”