Having done the job as a middle-order batsman for South Africa in a sensational come-from-behind 2-1 Test series victory at home against a formidable Indian cricket team, Temba Bavuma is backing the Proteas to carry the winning momentum forward as the three-match ODI series starts in Paarl on Wednesday.
South Africa바카라™s first-ever black cricket captain is taking fresh guard as he considers playing a quality team like India is motivation enough to give your 100 percent. Bavuma바카라™s first home series as ODI captain was last April against Pakistan.
바카라śThe guys don바카라™t need any more motivation,바카라ť says Bavuma .
바카라śYou바카라™re coming up against a team like India. We바카라™re desperate to build on that Test series win because India have generally had the better of us in recent years. They바카라™ve got some of the best players on the planet who are likely to go well in all conditions.
바카라śWe understand the cricketing rivalry between the sides. These are series you want to be involved in and opponents you want to test yourselves against. We want to continue the journey towards being considered among the world바카라™s best again.바카라ť
UPHILL TASK
The journey will be long for South Africa. Having dropped points in Ireland and Sri Lanka, South Africa will not qualify automatically for the ICC 50-over World Cup in India in 2023. This will be a perfect opportunity for South Africa to test themselves and they will be almost at full strength. South Africa will miss the injured Anrich Nortje and the rested Kagiso Rabada but will see the return of Quinton de Kock from paternity leave.
Bavuma바카라™s relationship with teammates and the knowledge of his team puts him in an advantageous position. The good thing is he understands his limitations and who can do what. 바카라śThe journey is still young with the white-ball teams, I must say. But I바카라™ve enjoyed it so far. I was fortunate in that most of the guys, especially the senior guys, I바카라™ve played with from school level,바카라ť says Bavuma.
바카라śWe understand each other and, most importantly, the respect is there. I spend a lot of time with KG (Rabada) on and off the field. Shamo (Tabraiz Shamsi) and Quinton (de Kock), too. These are important players to have good relationships with as a captain.
바카라śWe바카라™re fortunate that we have several legends of the past who I can call upon, too. JP Duminy was in the T20 management camp and he added to the brains of the team. He has a great brain and I bounced ideas off him,바카라ť added South Africa바카라™s white-ball captain.
SHEET ANCHOR
Bavuma바카라™s greatest asset is the understanding of his role in a South African team full of stroke makers. The South African captain cherishes his job as an anchor rather than unnecessary dare devilry.
바카라śThe better you know yourself, the less likely you are to be affected by what other people say about you. I pride myself in being honest, understanding where I can improve but also not losing focus from taking the team forward,바카라ť 바카라śMy skillset is not the same as a guy who comes in at the back of the innings, like David Miller,바카라ť he says.
바카라śDavid generally has to be able to hit sixes from ball one. That isn바카라™t my role in the side 바카라“ I know what my strengths are.바카라ť
Bavuma admits that he follows the example set by one of the greatest ever South African batters. 바카라śI take a lot of inspiration from Hashim Amla,바카라ť he says. 바카라śWhen he first came into the system, he wasn바카라™t considered a classic T20 player but he was able to adapt his game.바카라ť
The India series should a new and more confident Bavuma as South Africa seek new highs with a T20 World Cup approaching in 10 months바카라™ time.
