Temba Bavuma’s six-ball innings, in which he scored his only runs off a thick outside edge that went beyond backward point, was not indicative of a confident batsman.
The lack of confidence exhibited by Bavuma is entirely reasonable. He hasn’t played much cricket in the past four months, and his spot in the Proteas’ Twenty20 squad was already in question before that. The Proteas captain’s total international statistics – a batting average of 22.76 and a strike rate of 115.41 – aren’t terrible, but they’re hardly the type of numbers that would inspire dread in the opposition.
In contrast, in nine matches this year, his average is 9.71, his strike rate is 79.06, and of the 68 runs he’s scored, half of them came in one innings against India. Thursday’s performance was consistent with a player who, despite his determination and technical talent, is currently out of form and therefore lacks confidence.
As captain, Bavuma, like his predecessors, will always be allowed extra leniency; nonetheless, South Africa is currently competing in the World Cup with a roster and bowling unit that are capable of winning the entire tournament. In addition, the selectors do not have to look for a player who is in form because that player is present.
If Bavuma’s awful performance had occurred two years ago, perhaps the selectors would not need to make a choice about him. However, this is not the case. Victor Mpitsang and his panel recognize that Reeza Hendricks is delivering his best performances in a Proteas jersey and realizing the promise he has displayed for many years with Free State and, in recent seasons, Gauteng.
Hendricks took advantage of the opportunity presented to him when Bavuma missed the tour to England, perhaps playing freely because he knew he only had the spot temporarily. However, he did the job so well and was named player of the series against England that it is now impossible to remove him from the team. This season, he has scored 323 runs in seven innings, averaging 46.41 runs per game and striking out 139.82 times per nine innings.
Zimbabwe’s surprise victory against Pakistan on Thursday afternoon has increased the significance of Sunday’s matchup with India, which was already critical. South Africa can take control of the group with a victory over the high-flying team of Rohit Sharma.
It is no longer acceptable that the only reasons keeping Bavuma in the Proteas starting eleven are the fact that he is captain and the side is not losing.
Just ask West Indies and, after Friday’s rainout in Melbourne, England and Australia, as there is little room for maneuver in the T20 World Cup with only five matches per country until the Super 12 playoffs. Mpitsang and the national selectors had certainly – and understandably – anticipated that Bavuma would find some form and confidence in South Africa’s first two matches of the competition. While the Zimbabwe match was cut short, Thursday’s performance against Bangladesh must have given Mpitsang & Co pause.
The Indian assault, led by Bhuvaneshar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh, will be superior to that of South Africa’s Rilee Rossouw and Quinton de Kock versus Bangladesh. Bavuma has had a lot of difficulties against them this year, and Sunday provides the perfect occasion for the selectors to make a choice, despite Mpitsang’s admission that he wasn’t sure whether he could play.
The way in which the group for this year’s tournament was assembled demonstrates how much Mpitsang has learned from last year, most notably by deploying the right players in the correct positions and rewarding form. This latter quality cannot be squandered, especially when the possibility of breaking a trophy drought is at risk.