Cricket
Temba Bavuma Reaches 3000 Test Runs as Proteas Clinch Series Against West Indies
Temba Bavuma reaches 3000 Test runs as he leads the Proteas to a series win against the West Indies. Despite his Test cricket success, Bavuma remains focused after being excluded from the T20I squad.
Image Credits: RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images
Temba Bavuma, the National Test Captain and his side have just beaten the West Indies 2-Match Test Series. The first test concluded in a draw after a rain filled encounter in Port of Spain, but the Proteas managed to win the second test by 40 runs.
3000-run Achievement
During this, Bavuma brought up 3000 runs in Test Cricket for the Proteas in 54 matches.
“I really haven’t seen the stat [3000 runs] but I guess the stat would suggest I am a lot more comfortable and have a better understanding of my game in the last couple of years. Obviously super happy to get to another milestone, the dream was always to just represent the country. These [milestones] kind of feel like a bonus,” he told SportsBoom.com.
Bavuma’s Exclusion from T20I Squad
Image Credits: RANDY BROOKS/AFP via Getty Images
Additionally, Rob Walter, the T20I coach announced his squad to face the West Indies. Commenting on the squad to Cricket South Africa, Walter said: “Several players were not considered for this series due to either injury, being in a conditioning block that is related to workload management, or their participation in ongoing T20 leagues.”
This could’ve opened doors to players who are already in the West Indies and are on the fringes of the T20I squad. Unfortunately, Bavuma was not included in the squad.
“My focus is on Test cricket and the upcoming 50-over format."
After last playing a T20I in September 2023, missing out on the T20 World Cup squad this year and being released by Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20, Bavuma was asked if he still sees a future for himself in the T20 format after being left out of the current T20I squad.
I don’t think we are surprised that I’m not included the T20I squad, many eyebrows would’ve lifted if my name was in that squad. It’s better that my name is not there. For now, my focus is on Test cricket and I will try to play the best I can.
Temba Bavuma
“There is still the 50-over format that’s coming next month and one thing that I can trust is that if I get going, everything else will follow from there. But again, we are not surprised my name is not in the T20I squad.”
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