Bavuma stresses importance of World Cup qualification

TEMBA Bavuma is juggling a few issues as the Proteas men’s team prepares to face Ireland in a three-match One-day International series starting today, with one of those being qualification for the 2023 World Cup.

South Africa finds itself bottom of the International Cricket Council’s ODI Super League table which will determine which teams will automatically qualify for the 50-over showpiece in two years’ time.

Hosts India get a direct entry to the tournament, with the top seven teams on the Super League table joining them.

The remaining two places will be decided among five teams in a special qualifying tournament.

South Africa, obviously, would prefer to avoid that. “The first priority is to rack up points to qualify for the World Cup,” Bavuma, the Proteas limited overs captain, said yesterday.

In doing so, however, Bavuma explained that a balance needed to be struck between winning, applying the style they want to play and giving players an opportunity to impress with an eye on cementing a spot in that World Cup squad.

The Super League system was introduced in 2019, to lend greater relevance to ODIS outside of the World Cup.

While teams like England have played 13 matches and sit atop the table, South Africa has played just three times, providing a further illustration of the imbalance there is in the international game, that hasn’t been properly addressed by the ICC.

Although Bavuma, who played no part in the 2019 tournament, said he couldn’t speak “too deeply” about the system, he felt it could benefit the Proteas in the long run, especially as it pertains to the side’s oft-mentioned mental fragility.

“As a team, it gives us an opportunity to get our ducks in a row; if it means we play more games with consequences, under pressure, then so be it,” said Bavuma.

“That’s not a bad thing to go through that type of process. That will go a long way in strengthening our mental resolve. We will know going to the World Cup that we had to overcome a lot of tough times.”

Bavuma acknowledged that South Africa were favourites for the series against the Irish, which will be played at the Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin.

“Our focus is on mastering the process. The conditions are different to what we are used to back home or what we faced in the West Indies.

“We have to master these conditions. If we heavily invest our energy and bring about a certain intensity we will bring out the results we want.”

South Africa’s confidence is high following the side’s T20 series victory in the West Indies. And while it’s a different format they’re playing in today, Bavuma said there are similarities the players can draw on.

“As much as it’s T20 and 50 overs, the style, philosophy, the thinking is generally the same and we’d like to carry on that language and feel in both formats,” he commented.

“We are fortunate as a team that the majority of guys play 50 over and T20 so in terms of culture it flows easier. We are chasing results in T20 and 50 overs. In pursuant of those results there is a process we’d like to master and that is where our main focus is.”

Today’s match starts at 11.45am (SA time). SQUADS: IRELAND

– Andrew Balbirnie (capt), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Graham Kennedy, Joshua Little, Andy Mcbrine, Graeme Mccarter, Barry Mccarthy, William Porterfield, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young

– Temba Bavuma (capt), Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams.