Proteas stick with in-form Rassie
Meanwhile, Bavuma will try and score runs outside the Test arena
SOUTH African sport is a unique beast. The Proteas win a Test after losing five straight matches and the debutant who helped them achieve the result is posed a question that starts with: “As a white player…”
For many within the large English media contingent it is a baffling exercise, but for the locals it is as normal as buying a loaf of bread or litre milk.
It is a greater surprise that a fitagain Temba Bavuma has been left out of the starting XI for today’s second Test against England at Newlands, with Rassie van der Dussen being assured of a lengthy run in the Proteas Test middle-order.
On merit, Van der Dussen deserves his opportunity. He has been a consistent domestic performer for the Highveld Lions, topping the national averages two seasons ago and became the first Proteas player to register a half-century on debut in each international format.
Equally, Bavuma has been out of sorts for a lengthy period of time in Test cricket with his sole Test century still being the historic moment against the English here at this very ground four years ago. His recent form has been equally concerning with no Test half-centuries in his last 12 innings and only one in 2019.
However, the decision to leave out Bavuma will still raise the eyebrows of an already concerned cricket fraternity who believe that transformation will take a backward step under the new Proteas leadership of Jacques Faul (acting chief executive), Graeme Smith (acting director of cricket) and Mark Boucher (coach).
“We don’t see colour and I think it is important that people understand that opportunity is very important, opportunity for everyone,” Proteas captain Faf du Plessis said.
“Temba will be the first guy to acknowledge that he got a very good opportunity. It’s important that we keep producing very good cricketers. Right now, we need to win cricket matches, we need to win Test matches, and we need to raise the level of performance for all of us. It’s important that we keep making sure there is a level below us where there are players pushing.
“We feel it’s the right thing to do to stick with Rassie. As a player, you feel like you get a bit of confidence when you get an extended run – runs or no runs. Luckily he scored some runs in the first Test. A big part of international cricket is the mental aspect of belonging. Rassie has got a real composure to him and a presence when he bats. He ticks all the right boxes.”
Bavuma, along with a host of other fringe players, will be released to play franchise cricket in a bid to restore his red-ball confidence. Equally, Du Plessis pointed out that the Test vice-captain remains an integral part of the national squad’s plans and that the 29-year-old understands his situation.
“If you’re not finding yourself starting now, it’s about weight of runs,” Du Plessis said. “Temba was injured before the start of the series but it was a talking point even before the series – whose positions do we need to make sure there is more competition for?
“Temba will be the first to say that his performance over the last while wasn’t where it needed to be. Weight of runs would be the way back into the team, same for anyone.”