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Temba Bavuma is looking to cash in on the Wanderers when the Proteas host Sri Lanka in the second test on January 3.
South African No. 6 made headlines in the first test at Centurion when, having looked incredibly comfortable on his way to 71 *, he surrendered his window tucking the bat under his arm and leaving the field after Sri Lanka had called for a catch behind.
Replays revealed that Bavuma had not come close to passing the ball and if he had stayed in wicket he would have been given “no out” and had a fantastic opportunity to play his second century in test cricket.
It was certainly an odd moment, but more important was the fact that Bavuma and the Proteas got back on the profit track after racking up 621 runs in their first and only inning.
Speaking on Friday on New Years Day, Bavuma acknowledged his Centurion mistake again, but was looking forward instead of back.
“I guess walking prematurely before the referee made the decision wasn’t the smartest of things, but it just happened on the spur of the moment,” he said.
“The Wanderers is where it all started for me: playing first-class cricket for the Lions. I have good memories at the Lions and I think I’d like to create more memories.
“There is a sense of unfinished business per se and the opportunity is there to go in and get some races. I’d like to do it and make it worthwhile.”
South Africa will look to win the match and secure a 2-0 test series cover-up, reversing the score it suffered at the hands of Sri Lanka in 2019.
This time, however, Trials will take place on more traditional South African terrain and that seemed to work in favor of the Centurion hosts.
“There is rhythm, there is rebound on the wicket and lateral movement,” Bavuma said of the Wanderers.
“Our bowlers love those kinds of conditions and batters love those kinds of conditions. We are used to hitting on grounds that are faster and bouncy.
“Our techniques adapt to it and also mentally and we are quite brave in these kinds of conditions.
Proteas head coach Mark Boucher will have a few picks to consider in his bowling attack, but the batting lineup is expected to remain the same given that, at Centurion, he finally showed some encouraging signs.
“There hasn’t been a lot of consistency or confidence in our hitting,” Bavuma added.
“So I guess the pressure was on the hitters, especially considering they’re the oldest on the team, to step up and lead the way. Fortunately, the guys did that.
“Not every day you can score more than 600 and the challenge for most of the team will be trying to match that effort.
“The most important thing about hitting is that the guys that came in took their opportunity, specifically Faf (Du Plessis), so the challenge will be for the hitters to make sure they go ahead and get a great score to put the team in a good position. . “
Sunday’s game will start at 10:00.
– Compiled by Lloyd Burnard
