It meant that new Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma was the star of the show as he put in a man-of-the-match performance to lead his side to a second Test win and a 2-0 series win over the West Indies at the Wanderers on Saturday evening.
The Proteas won the first Test at Centurion by 87 runs and followed it up by winning the second Test at Wanderers by a whopping 284 runs to emphatically seal the series.
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In the match, the Proteas batted first and scored 320 with Aiden Markram top scoring with 96, before the Windies responded with 251 all out, Gerald Coetzee being the pick of the home bowlers with 3/41.
The Proteas then managed 321 all out in the second innings, with Bavuma’s massive career-best 172 leading the charge as they set the Windies 391 to win, which was a long way off as they crumbled to 106 all out, with Coetzee, 3/37, and Simon Harmer, 3/45, impressed in his all-round bowling efforts.
After the match, Bavuma paid tribute to the crowd for what had been the fourth and final day, as he admitted that he was happy with his performance.
“It’s a good sound to hear. It was good to see people come out on Saturday and to see us take the trophy,” said Bavuma.
“I am very satisfied. I have been in such a situation when I came with a team that needed to be rebuilt. I think the biggest thing about this round is that I can change it, make it big and make it count a bit more from a personal point of view.
“I hope there will be many more to come. I do not walk in 10/2, but in terms of converting this chance. So I am very happy with my contribution to our cause.
proud performance
Bavuma is also proud of the team’s performance which has changed a lot from the first Test win in Centurion, with the Proteas bravely opting to play two spinners on what has traditionally been a fast bowler pitch.
“This (match) is very big for us. From the moment we made a decision about the composition of the team, I think it is a brave team. We came from Centurion and have won the game quite convincingly.
“Coming here to Wanderers, we were hoping things would go that way and luckily it worked out. Guys came in and played their part. Simon and Kesh (Maharaj) did the job in the second half. So it was pretty exciting from that point of view.
Bavuma also bemoaned the lack of Test cricket the Proteas are playing in the coming years and called for more to be done to get more game time, with the next series only starting in December against India.
“It’s a big conversation for me. I’ve said my part. Many people have waxed lyrical about it. We are a team that creates something and so that we can create something important and give the fans to enjoy, we have to go out on the field,” explained Bavuma.
“Unfortunately, we will only be wearing white again in December. But who knows, maybe the powers that be and the people here can make things happen. We want to play as much (Test) cricket as we can and bring more smiles.”