The classy Temba Bavuma set up brilliant South African run-chasing to clinch the ODI series against England in Bloemfontein on Saturday and silenced the critics who seem to hang on apartheid ideals when it comes to the excellence of African Black cricketers.
The Proteas chased down a formidable 343 for victory and reached the target with five wickets and five balls to spare, the third highest in the race, giving them a 2-0 series win.
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It was captain Bavuma, opening the batting, who set the tone, dominating the opening stand of 77 from 72 balls with Quinton de Kock (31 from 28), who struggled at the start after leaving the field for most of England’s innings for x. -rays on injured toe while keeping wicket.
After De Kock’s dismissal, Bavuma smashed it to 28Th over, scoring a best 109 off 102 balls, with 14 fours and a six. His timing was impeccable, and he drove, pulled and cut the English footballers with incredible authority. He also showed determination by overcoming painful cramps as he approached his century.
Despite his torrid time in T20 cricket of late, Bavuma’s performances in Test and ODI cricket have been impressive and have clearly shown him to be among the best batsmen in the country. A man-of-the-match effort in Sunday’s crunch game only underlined this, no doubt to the shame of his detractors.
Wild bronco
When Bavuma fell, scooping left arm Sam Curran quickly back to the stumps, South Africa still needed 169 runs in 22.5 overs. Lose Rassie van der Dussen (38) just 10 balls later, also try something good with reverse-Sweep, suggested Proteas fans and a lot more than 10 000 in Bloemfontein were in for a wild rollercoaster ride.
But Aiden Markram overcame a resurgent England attack with 49 off 43 balls, adding 55 off 38 deliveries with Heinrich Klaasen (27) and another 49 with David Miller.
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Leg-spinner Adil Rashid bowled Markram with a superb googly for his second crucial breakthrough, but South Africa rode to victory behind a thrilling stand of 65 from just 47 balls between Miller and Marco Jansen, the young bronco who had made it. extraordinary presence on the international scene.
Miller showed that he deserves to be tagged as one of the great finishers, scoring 57 not out from 38 balls, and Jansen again showed his incredible talent with 32 not out from 29 deliveries.
England earlier finished strongly as they posted an impressive 342/7. Sent into bat, it was an early struggle as the Proteas got a lot of movement and some good bounce too. The tourists could only post 42/2 in the first 10 overs.
But the middle order responded decisively and controlled the process. Harry Brook provided England with the much-needed boost with 80 off just 75 balls.
Jos Buttler then batted until the end of the innings, scoring an unbeaten 94 off 82 deliveries, and a partnership of 106 off 86 balls with Moeen Ali (51 off 45) ensured England would score well.
Parnell (10-1-54-1) was South Africa’s best bowler, while Ngidi, who got just 28 runs in the first seven innings, was unfortunately hammered for 39 runs in the last two innings.