After years of relentless and mostly unfair criticism since being elected as the first black batsman to lead South Africa in Test cricket in 2014, Temba Bavuma finally got the monkey off his back and delivered the long-awaited ICC trophy after 27 years of trying.
The Proteas claimed an emphatic five-wicket victory over defending champions Australia in the ICC World Test Championship Final at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in England yesterday.
The last time South Africa achieved this feat was in 1998 at the ICC Knockout, the forerunner of the Champions Trophy.
Bavuma, who played the majority of what turned out to be a gripping third day with a hamstring injury, kept his end of the bargain and led by example by scoring a gutsy half-century through the pain.
The 35-year-old will go down as one of the greatest and most successful black cricketers alongside the likes of Makhaya Ntini, who heaped praise on Bavuma for guiding the Proteas to a historic victory.
“I am very proud of Bavuma for leading the team to success and beating Australia to be the champions, because this will also probably change a lot of things regarding cricket in the country,” Ntini told Sunday World.
“For Temba to be in the position where he is a leader after Graeme Smith, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers and Dean Elgar, it is a big deal for him because all those guys were successful in terms of keeping South Africa in the top three in the world.
“I am delighted he was able to guide the team to glory and bring the trophy home. All of us will be there at the airport to celebrate with him and continue being behind his leadership.”
Building up to the final, Bavuma expressed what it would mean to him and the team to win the WTC over a highly experienced Aussie side.
“I think winning this final will give credence to all that I have gone through,” he said.
“Because there is always that question at the back of your mind, whether everything that you are doing and going through is worth it. But when you are in moments like these, where you have the opportunity to do something special, not just for yourself but for the entire nation, it gives you motivation and comfort that everything you are going through is worth it.”
Indeed, all the injuries, constant doubt, trials and tribulations the Langa-born star faced have paid off, as he has now etched his name as one of the greatest Proteas captains.
Kudos to the likes of Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, coach Shukri Conrad, and the rest of the team for pulling its weight when it mattered the most and not “choking” this time around.
