Cricket
Firdose Moonda, South Africa correspondent, ESPNcricinfo 1y

Temba Bavuma gets SA20 deal after impressive knocks against England

Cricket

Temba Bavuma's performances in South Africa's 2-1 ODI series win over England have landed him an SA20 deal after he was snubbed at the auction last year. Bavuma will replace Tom Abell at Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Bavuma's big-hitting impressed the franchise to call him in for Abell, who will be joining the England Lions.

Bavuma was South Africa's leading run-scorer in the series, with 180 runs from three matches, which was his most successful as an ODI batter. He struck a match-winning century in the second ODI, which also sealed the series, and maintained a strike rate of over 100 throughout the three matches. Having previously been criticised for his lack of big-hitting, Bavuma hit 23 fours and three sixes on two of the biggest grounds in South Africa in Bloemfontein and Kimberley, and also led the South African side well.

After his hundred, Bavuma spoke about the pride he felt in being able to show people "I am still here," and said he had worked with stand-in coach Shukri Conrad on changing his mindset to be able to take on bowlers more. He was particularly impressive with his back foot play and his shot selection against spinners and later said he ranked the innings among his best.

More to follow

^ Back to Top ^