Temba Bavuma Archives

Bavuma breaks silence on ‘dwarf, grovel’ remark on India tour

South Africa ODI and Test skipper Temba Bavuma opened up on the recently concluded tour of India, addressing the controversies that happened during the Test series.

Bavuma, in his article on Cricinfo, wrote about the incidents that happened during the series and their memorable 2-0 triumph, marking their first Test series win in India since 2000.

However, the tour was marred by some controversies, starting from the series opener when India players Jasprit Bumrah and the wicket-keeper were caught on stump mic calling Bavuma a ‘dwarf’.

Both players’ chat went viral as they called Bavuma ‘Bauna’ (Dwarf), a term referring to a person of short height.

“I know from my side there was an incident where they said something in their language about me. At the end of the day, two senior players, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah, came and apologised,” he said.

“When the apology was made, I was in the dark about what it was about, I hadn’t heard it at the time, and I needed to check in with our media manager about it, the skipper revealed.

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Bavuma said that he held grudges and shed light on the ‘Grovel’ remark that stirred controversy during the tour.

“What happens on the field stays on the field, but you don’t forget what is said. You use it as fuel and motivation, but there are no grudges per se,” he continued

“I was put under pressure by the media on that side, asking me to clarify the comments that were made. I thought Shukri was the man best positioned to give context to it all.

The first time I heard about it, it had that unsavoury taste to it, but I think it just reminded me how tough and competitive the Test series was and what it meant to certain individuals within the group,” he said.

The 35-year-old talked about the head coach putting the issue to rest while admitting that he could have used a better phrase to share his thoughts.

“Shukri spoke after the ODI series and put that issue to bed. In hindsight, he said he could have chosen a better word, and I agree with him,” he concluded.

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WATCH: Jasprit Bumrah, Pant caught on stump mic calling Bavuma ‘dwarf’

KOLKATA: India pacer Jasprit Bumrah and wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant were caught on the stump mic with a surprising remark during the opening day of the first Test against South Africa here at the Eden Gardens on Friday.

Both players’ chat went viral as they called South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma ‘Bauna’ (Dwarf), a term referring to a person of short height.

The incident occurred during the 13th over, when Bumrah appealed for an LBW dismissal. The on-field umpire turned down the decision, prompting the Indian players to consider a referral.

During the discussion on whether to take a review, Bumrah was seen asking his compatriots about the ball hitting the stumps, and also mentioned the height of the Proteas skipper, stating, ‘Bauna bhi to hay yeh’.

The literal translation in English: ‘He is also a dwarf ‘, Bumrah said. Meanwhile, Pant also repeated this, stating,’ He [Temba Bavuma] is a dwarf, but where the ball has hit him.’

Eventually, the players decided not to go for the referral, a decision that later proved to be right as the ball had missed the stumps.

Yet, India were top at the end of day one as South Africa were folded for a mere 159 runs total.

Jasprit Bumrah starred with the ball, picking up his 16th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

In reply, the home side were 37/1 at the stumps with KL Rahul 13* off 59 alongside Washington Sundar, who made six from 38 balls.

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Temba Bavuma returns for South Africa Tests against India

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma is set to return to action next month after being named in the squad for two World Test Championship (WTC) matches in India, having recovered from injury.

Bavuma, who led South Africa to victory in the championship final against Australia in London in June, missed the country’s recent series in Pakistan because he was having treatment for a calf strain.

South Africa were captained by Aiden Markram when they started their defence of their title by sharing the two-match series in Pakistan.

Bavuma has captained South Africa in ten Tests, winning nine and drawing one.

The squad announced by Cricket South Africa (CSA) includes the bulk of the players who were in Pakistan.

Off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen missed out despite playing in the first Test in the absence of Keshav Maharaj, who was recovering from injury.

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Durham batsman David Bedingham, who toured Pakistan but did not play in the Tests, made way for Bavuma.

The 15-man squad includes three front-line spinners in Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy, who took a combined 33 wickets in Pakistan.

Coach Shukri Conrad said the players had shown “real character” in sharing the honours in Pakistan after losing the first Test. South Africa lost the toss in both matches and had to bat second in spin-friendly conditions.

“We are expecting a similar challenge in India and many of the players who stood up for us in those conditions will again be key for us,” said Conrad.

“Pakistan was a squad effort, and India will demand the same. Every player has a role to play in ensuring we remain competitive in what is always a tough place to tour.”

South Africa Test squad

Temba Bavuma (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wkt)

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South Africa names new captain for Zimbabwe Test series

South Africa have named Keshav Maharaj as their new captain after Temba Bavuma was ruled out of the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe, set to commence on 28 June.

The Proteas’ regular skipper, Bavuma, sustained a hamstring strain during the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final, and he is yet to fully recover from the injury.

Temba Bavuma was batting on six runs when he cramped while running a single. Despite the injury, he continued to bat along with Aiden Markaram, putting up a match-winning stand.

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Following South Africa’s triumph, Bavuma revealed that he batted against medical advice because of not breaking his team’s momentum in a critical time. The right-handed batter finished on 66 as South Africa won by five wickets.

The South Africa squad against Zimbabwe includes five uncapped players as South Africa rest several all-format players. The players are Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada, while fast bowler Lungi Ngidi is only available for the second Test.

Keshav Maharaj will be the 41st player to lead the men’s Test team. The left-arm spinner has already captained South Africa in seven ODIs and five T20Is.

It is noteworthy to mention that the WTC winners, South Africa, have the following assignments following the Zimbabwe series, including an ODI series against Australia and England, set to take place in August and September.

Despite their maiden WTC title, South Africa will not play any home Tests until October 2026.

For the unversed, South Africa defeated the defending champions Australia in the WTC final by five wickets, with Aiden Markram scoring a majestic 136-run innings in the fourth innings of the match.

South Africa Squad For Zimbabwe Test Series

David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Keshav Maharaj (capt), Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi (second Test only), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne, Codi Yusuf

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Champions Trophy: Temba Bavuma issues bold statement ahead of Afghanistan clash

KARACHI: South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has made a bold statement ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy opener against Afghanistan, scheduled in Karachi on Friday.

After arriving early in Pakistan for the tri-nation series, South Africa had game time to integrate into the conditions in the series mentioned above.

Addressing the media in a pre-match presser, Bavuma cleared that his team is well-focused and does not carry any past baggage.

“There’s no real negativity or baggage among the guys; we’re coming into this tournament with a lot of positivity and confidence in our ability to go far, said the skipper.

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With the tournament format too competitive, Bavuma highlighted the importance of giving every game equal importance.

“Our mindset is to make sure we pitch up and play our best game of cricket. Hopefully, we’re playing five games and not three in this tournament. Most importantly, we need to win the moments that matter,” he remarked.

Spin-heavy Afghanistan, which will start its inaugural campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy, is expected to give Proteas a tough time.

Temba Bavuma admitted to Afghanistan’s competitiveness, recalling their victory over South Africa in Sharjah last year.

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“They’re a highly competitive team with a lot of experience and international pedigree. They won’t be short of confidence coming into this game, said Bavuma.

The right-hander batter stated that he had not looked at the pitch but emphasized that Karachi pitches favour the batters.

However, he further emphasized the need for his bowling unit to remain disciplined and precise to counter the high-scoring trend.

“Our challenge as a bowling unit is to be one of the more disciplined and precise bowling units,” Bavuma said.

South Africa will look to start their campaign on a strong note against Afghanistan after a dismal performance in the tri-nation series.

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South Africa captain to miss first ODI against Pakistan, replacement named

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma is set to miss the first ODI of the three-match series against Pakistan, scheduled later today in Paarl, and Aiden Markram will lead the team in his absence.

Bavuma has been rested to manage his workload ahead of the crucial two-match Test series against Pakistan. However, he is likely to feature in the next two ODIs.

It’s worth noting that Bavuma’s team has emerged as formidable contenders for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final, currently perched at the summit of the points table after their clean sweep victory over Sri Lanka in a recent two-match Test series.

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With two crucial Tests still to be played on home turf against Pakistan, securing victories in these matches will further cement their position in the race for the final.

The decision to rest Bavuma highlights South Africa’s strategic approach to managing player workload and ensuring peak performance.

This decision was made considering the team’s preparations for major upcoming competitions, notably the highly anticipated Champions Trophy in 2025 and the critical World Test Championship matches.

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It’s worth noting that after the series opener today, Pakistan and South Africa will play subsequent ODIs in Cape Town and Johannesburg on December 19 and 22 respectively.

Meanwhile, the two-match Test series will kick off in Centurion on December 26, followed by the second Test in Cape Town, starting from January 3.

Pakistan ODI Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan (wk)

South Africa ODI Squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Ottneil Baartman, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen

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Temba Bavuma frustrated with South Africa’s Test schedule

South Africa’s Test captain, Temba Bavuma, recently voiced his frustration regarding the limited number of Test matches his team has played in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle.

Bavuma expressed concern over the Proteas’ participation in only four matches so far, emphasizing the need for a greater number of Test matches like the Big Three — India, Australia and England.

South Africa are currently sitting in seventh position in the WTC standings, having won only one Test out of four.

It’s worth noting that Australia and England have played 12 Tests so far, while India have played nine in the current cycle.

“It’s a challenge that’s not necessarily unique to us and probably something that all the teams outside the big three face. It feels like we’re starting again and again as a team,” Bavuma said.

“You can hear in terms of the conversations there’s a lot of reminding ourselves of a philosophy, how we want to play and basically what our blueprint is to winning.”

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Bavuma also highlighted that South Africa is not the only team as other teams are also facing a similar situation. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have also played four matches, while Pakistan have played five.

“It’s nothing that is unique to us as a South African team. The challenge is we’ve just got to make it work with what we have. We don’t use it as an excuse,” he added.

“I think there’s definitely a lot of excitement from the guys and we’d like to focus on that excitement more than all the other uncontrollables.”

South Africa are scheduled to play eight more Test matches in the current WTC cycle. They are currently gearing up for a two-match Test series against West Indies, starting from August 7.

South Africa Test squad for West Indies series

Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne

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Temba Bavuma returns to South Africa squad for West Indies Tests

Temba Bavuma will return to lead South Africa for the first time this year in the two-match Test series against West Indies next month.

His lengthy absence from South African teams illustrates what coach Shukri Conrad says is the reality of a modern cricketing world dominated by white-ball cricket.

“It is what it is and we just have to make it work,” Conrad said at a press conference announcing a 16-man squad for the tour.

White-ball and English county commitments mean that Conrad will only have eight of his 16-man squad available for a pre-tour camp in Durban next week.

Bavuma was injured during South Africa’s first Test against India last December and missed the second Test in which South Africa were beaten in one-and-a-half days on a sub-standard pitch.

He then missed a two-Test series in New Zealand when South Africa sent a weakened squad to defeat in both matches because contracted players were compelled to play in the SA20, a local franchise competition.

Bavuma was not part of the team in the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, where South Africa were defeated in the final by India.

Most of the country’s T20 stars are playing in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 in the United States, which ends on July 28. Those players selected for the West Indies tour will fly directly to the Caribbean in time for a warm-up match ahead of the first Test.

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Conrad said he chose to take a positive view of the situation. “We’ve got the luxury of a warm-up game, so we’ve got 10 days in Trinidad before the first Test match,” he said.

“I mentioned to Temba [Bavuma] that it’s the first time as a Test unit that we’re going to spend some extended time together.

“My first series was against the West Indies (in February and March 2023) when we got together three days before the first game and we got together two days before the India series because there were Monday matches going on.

“You just have to roll with the punches. It is the modern-day world. Players can easily move from T20 and Test match cricket.

“I’m very comfortable that guys will be in America. They’ll take a short flight across and then we’ll have a week’s preparation before the first Test.”

The squad for the Tests in Trinidad and Guyana includes one uncapped player, batsman Matthew Breetzke, 25, who has played six T20 internationals and has been playing for English county Northamptonshire.

Having played only four Tests in the past year, the West Indies tour will be the start of a run of eight Tests for the Proteas through to January.

South Africa squad for West Indies series

Series Schedule:

July 31-August 3 – West Indies Invitation XI, Tarouba, Trinidad

August 7-11 – First Test, Port of Spain, Trinidad

August 15-19 – Second Test, Providence, Guyana

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Temba Bavuma to miss white-ball matches against India

South Africa’s World Cup captain Temba Bavuma will miss two white-ball series against India, Cricket South Africa announced on Monday in naming squads for the multi-format tour.

Bavuma as well as fast bowler Kagiso Rabada will play no part in the limited overs series in order to prepare for two World Test Championship matches, starting in Centurion on December 26.

Fast bowlers Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen will only play in the first two T20Is before returning to their franchises to play in domestic four-day cricket ahead of the Test series.

ODI coach Rob Walter said the decision was made in consultation with Test coach Shukri Conrad.

“We have a busy summer ahead starting with the T20Is and then ODIs against India and we have therefore taken the decision to omit several of our senior players,” said Walter.

“This decision was taken together with coach Shukri as we place emphasis on the red-ball leg of the tour, meaning they will instead be preparing for the Test series by playing domestic cricket.”

Conrad said: “It is the start of a new ICC World Test Championship cycle and that itself is a huge incentive for everyone. We want to try and ensure we make a strong start to this sequence here at home against one of the best teams in the world.”

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The Test squad includes three uncapped players in Durham and Western Province batsman David Bedingham, left-arm fast bowler Nandre Burger and batsman Tristan Stubbs.

Burger is set to make his international debut after being named in all three squads. Another newcomer is all-rounder Mihlali Mpongwana, who was selected for the one-day series.

The first T20 international will be played in Durban on Sunday. There will be three T20 internationals and three one-day internationals.

India will also be without key players for the white-ball matches, with regular captain Rohit Sharma and former captain Virat Kohli rested ahead of the Test matches.

South Africa T20I Squad

Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams

South Africa ODI Squad

Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Keshav Maharaj, Mihlali Mpongwana, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Lizaad Williams

South Africa Test Squad

Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Keegan Petersen, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk)

Schedule of India’s tour of South Africa

December 10 – First T20I, Durban

December 12 – Second T20I, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)

December 14 – Third T20I, Johannesburg

December 17 – First ODI, Johannesburg

December 19 – Second ODI, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)

December 21 – Third ODI, Paarl

December 26-30 – First Test match, Centurion

January 3-7 – Second Test match, Cape Town

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No special treatment for injured captain Bavuma, says South Africa coach

South Africa coach Rob Walter said on Tuesday that injured Temba Bavuma will not receive preferential treatment because he is the team captain.

The 33-year-old batsman hopes to be fit for the ICC World Cup 2023 semi-final against Australia in Kolkata on Thursday after straining his right hamstring against Afghanistan last Friday.

“No one is bigger than the team at the end of the day. That applies to Temba and everyone else,” said Walter after a practice session in the Indian city.

“Being skipper will not give Bavuma extra protection if the injury does not heal sufficiently and inhibits his play.”

Bavuma took part in a floodlit training session at Eden Gardens on Tuesday and did not show any signs of discomfort.

But Walter warned that there are still hurdles the skipper must clear before he can lead South Africa into a match that will decide who faces India or New Zealand in the final.

“We still need to check him out in the high-speed zones as we progress from when the injury happened to the rehabilitation that has taken place during the past 72 hours,” said the coach.

“Each day brings some new elements to test before deciding whether he is ready and match fit to play in the semi-final. The progression has been positive, which is awesome.”

Walter said he is not overly concerned about the modest current form of Bavuma, who has scored 145 runs in seven innings at the global showcase.

“Temba has not scored the runs he would have wanted to at the World Cup. However, when I watch him train and play I sense a big score is just around the corner.

“We are not part of the conversation about Temba being dropped. He is one of our best batters this year.

“That said, he is not undroppable, nor is any other member of the squad. No one is bigger than the team.

“Hopefully, we will be able make a call on Temba before Thursday. In an ideal world, you do not want to wait that long, but I need to give him the best chance to play for his country.”

If Bavuma is ruled out of the showdown with Australia, his place will be taken by Reeza Hendricks, a right-handed batter.

South Africa believe the Kolkata pitch will take spin, and may bring in left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi at the expense of Lungi Ngidi or Gerald Coetzee.

Current form favours South Africa after a 134-run victory over Australia in the pool stage of ICC World Cup 2023, but all four previous semi-final appearances by the Proteas have ended in disappointment.

And two of those exits, in 1999 and 2007, were against Australia.

Rain is forecast for Kolkata on Thursday and Friday, the reserve day, and if both days were washed out, South Africa would progress to the final on net run rate.

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