It’s brutal out there, says Klusener after Bavuma SA20 snub
LEGENDARY Proteas all-rounder and Durban Super Giants coach Lance Klusener believes Temba Bavuma’s omission from the six SA20 squads may drive him a “little bit harder” for next year.
Bavuma, who will lead the Proteas to the T20 World Cup in Australia next month, was one of the top local internationals not bought at the inaugural SA20 auction on Monday.
The 32-year-old was called up to the bidding table on two occasions, but no team were willing to spend R850 000 on Bavuma’s base price.
“It’s brutal out there … there’s a lot of competition for places,” said Klusener.
“It just shows you that if you’re a good player for South Africa, it doesn’t mean you have the same recognition around the world. Maybe that will just drive people that didn’t get bought a little bit harder for next year.”
Bavuma has played 25 T20Is, scoring 562 runs at an average of 26.8 and strike rate of 120.60.
The Proteas white-ball skipper, however, missed the recent tour of England, where the David Miller-led side clinched South Africa’s first T20I series win in the UK.
The triumph was based on the Proteas’ new-found T20I batting strength, with Reeza Hendericks – who opened the batting in the absence of Bavuma – proving to be a revelation with four consecutive half-centuries in five matches against England and Ireland.
Hendricks was awarded the Player of the Series award on both occasions, and was purchased by the Joburg Super Kings for R4.5 million on Monday.
Furthermore, the return of Rilee Rossouw to the national team after his Kolpak exile has created greater depth at the top of the Proteas order.
Rossouw made an unbeaten 96 off just 55 balls in just his second game back.
He was the second-highest pick of the auction, with the Pretoria Capitals splurging R6.9m on the dynamic lefthander.
Another member of the SA T20 World Cup squad in Australia who was not snapped up at the auction was all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo.
The 26-year-old was among the most expensive purchases at the Mzansi Super League auction a couple of years ago, but his base price of R850 000 was too steep this time around.
“The way the auction dynamic plays out, it can go in different directions.
“We’ve had plans to get certain players, and that changed if someone comes cheaper than you expect,” MI Cape Town coach Simon Katich explained.
“There are plenty of players who missed out today … It goes to show how competitive it is.
“Some of the South African boys are competing with franchises that felt like they should go with an overseas player … I’m sure there is an opportunity down the line.”