Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Proteas star on the hardest part of batting, dealing with verbals and
ZAAHIER ADAMS sits down with South Africa’s “Last Action Hero” Temba Bavuma ahead of the second Test in Hobart today. the way you go about things. It does become a more internal fight. Can you explain the science behind being successful batting in the middle-order? At No 6 I am the link between the top- and lower- order. Sometimes when I walk in, a top-order batsman is still at the crease, a guy like Faf (du Plessis) and I just try to adapt to his kind of game.
I’ve been batting with him for a while now, so I’ve come to understand the tempo, the intensity and the kind of language I have to use when I bat with him.
Similarly, batting with Quinton (de Kock), that’s kind of the opposite spectrum of things. I’ve batted with him for a while, so it comes more naturally. Batting in the middle-order is about adapting to the situation and the body language of your partner. England’s Ben Stokes attacked you verbally in that New Year’s Test. The Aussies are renowned sledgers too, have they targeted you out in the middle? Not necessarily. Surprisingly, there hasn’t been too much verbal from the Australians. There are though still two matches to go, so anything can still happen (laughs). From my side there’s been no banter towards me. Your run out of David Warner was simply sensational at the Waca. Would you put it down to hard work at training or simply good fortune? I think the training part definitely played its part. As much as cricket is about taking wickets and scoring runs, you still have to put in the work. I think it’s also about wanting to cre- ate that something special for the team.
I consider myself a batsman, even though I’ve started bowling a little bit (laughs), so it’s important that I contribute in the field as much as I can. Also in that second innings we were a bowler down, so it was important that we backed up the bowlers. Luckily the moment came around and I was able to effect that run out. The run out along with a few other things has catapulted you into something of a cult hero here in Australia. Did you ever think a little guy from Langa could achieve this all so quickly? It would be far-fetched to say that it was something I could ever have imagined, especially with regards to fielding.
All the comments and compliments from all the people have been quite humbling. Hopefully in the remaining two Tests I can actually contribute with the bat too. Coach Russell Domingo said you were the kind of guy “that things seem to happen around” while ABC Radio in Australia labelled you as South Africa’s “X-factor” in the Perth Test. Would you agree that you are an action junkie? I am quite a positive, ener- getic individual who is always trying to look forward. Generally with that kind of attitude something is bound to happen.
It could be good or it could be bad. I could be bowling no-balls and dropping catches (smirks). But I am always looking to be in the action otherwise, I might fall asleep in the field. Have you at least watched that run out again? I’ve seen it several times. It was a crazy, crazy moment. I think I’ll struggle to replicate that in the future! The Proteas are on the verge of creating history at the Bellerive Oval, should Australia be defeated in this second Test. What would it mean to you personally, to be a part of this historic achievement should it occur? It will be massive, especially for us as teammates because we were toiling in India this time last year. So, for us to get that winning momentum on our side will be massive for our confidence.
It will be big step forward for us as a team. Back home too, it will start uniting people too and to be part of a team like that, especially in the beginning of my international career, it will be massive.