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Cricket

Proteas captain Temba Bavuma: “Need to get game time, to get runs behind me and to get the confidence back.”

Temba Bavuma, the Proteas captain, is anticipating his return to action after a tough three months on the sidelines due to injury, stating he is looking forward to visiting India and then Australia over the next two months.

South Africa departs for India on Friday for a six-match series that will include three Twenty20 Internationals and three one-day internationals against the hosts. They will next go to Australia for the T20 World Cup, which will take place from October 16 to November 13.

Bavuma and the rest of his squad spent the last three days before leaving the nation in Cape Town completing team building exercises. The captain has been out since suffering an elbow injury in June, which caused him to miss the Proteas’ multi-format trip to the United Kingdom.

temba 1But he’s back and ready to lead the squad, stating their immediate goal was to get everyone fired up for the World Cup, when they’ll face India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and two other teams in Group 2.

“We want to get the boys in shape, most of them have been in shape, but guys like myself, I’ve been out of action for three months, so now I’m looking forward to that,” Bavuma stated during his news conference. “I just want to be out there on the field, using that chance to gain game time, runs behind me, and confidence back. There may be other men who aren’t in the appropriate shape yet, so it’s about bringing them to where they need to be. We also need to finalize the starting lineup. We have a reasonable sense of who that squad will be, but keep in mind that conditions in India differ from those in Australia. As a result, the team we play in Australia will most likely differ from the one we play in India.”

temba2The captain also discussed his injuries, which led him to miss the T20 series victories against England and Ireland.

“The last few months have been the most difficult in terms of injuries,” he stated. “It was certainly irritating. It was pretty challenging mentally going through that period of not knowing when I was going to heal with my elbow. But I’m here today, my elbow feels fantastic, I clearly avoided surgery, and I’m happy and privileged to be able to go out there for the Proteas again.”

South African players visited Robben Island on Wednesday, and Bavuma said it was a fantastic experience.

“For many of us on the crew, the journey to Robben Island was inspirational,” he said. “I was approximately eight years old the last time I was there, so I don’t remember anything. This was a new experience for me, and it significantly increased my feeling of purpose.”

The South African limited-overs skipper was also quizzed about the team’s current entertaining brand of white-ball cricket. In the two shorter forms, they appeared to be a changed side, and Bavuma was questioned if that would alter when Head Coach Mark Boucher retires after the World Cup.

“It’s tough to look that far ahead,” he said. “Right now, we’re just focused on the here and now, which is the tour to India. The emphasis is also on addressing the gaps that need to be addressed in terms of preparation, as well as putting the lads in shape leading up to the World Cup and ensuring that we maintain our confidence and belief as a team. That is where the focus is right now.”

He also stated that Boucher’s departure provided the Proteas with additional motivation to do well in Australia.

“Obviously, we have the problem of the coach departing the squad after the World Cup, and I think that’s an extra piece of incentive for us as a unit on top of everything else,” he concluded.

“What happens after the World Cup is difficult to discuss. I don’t see that changing in terms of the style of play. I believe the terminology we’ve been using as a team has been quite constant over the previous 18 months, and I don’t expect that to change. The coach will depart, but his influence and brand on the team that is now with us will endure.”

South Africa faces India next with the first T20 set on September 28 in Thiruvananthapuram.

Farzeen K

Farzeen K

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