MICHAEL MENTZ
CAPE TOWN, January 5 (ANA) – Great joy was followed by slight disappointment as Proteas captain Hashim Amla decided to declare with his team needing just two runs to equal the 629 England scored in their first innings.
Shortly before England started their second innings in the final session of the fourth day of the second Test against South Africa at Newlands, Temba Bavuma had just reached his maiden Test century and he was joined at the crease by night-watchman Kagiso Rabada.
Bavuma had played the innings of his life as he reached 102 not out in front of his father at the ground where his passion for the game was developed.
“I would have liked to bat the rest of tomorrow if I could,” Bavuma admitted after the day’s play.
“But with the shift of momentum, it was probably the best decision to send them in to try and get one or two wickets before the close of play,” he added.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t get that wicket or two so hopefully tomorrow we can knock over a few and if one becomes two, two becomes three and hopefully they will crumble.”
As for the chance he had to reach a very significant milestone in front of the Newlands faithful, the 25-year-old said that it could not have happened at a better venue.
“I was born in Cape Town and my passion for cricket grew from here.
“Having achieved this milestone at my favourite ground in the world makes it more special, but I’m also looking forward to playing at the Wanderers where I made my mark in first class cricket.”
What made the moment even more special for the player who, due to his size, was compared to the great Sachin Tendulkar by many spectators added to the fact that his father, Vuyo Bavuma, was at the ground when he lifted his bat in celebration.
Bavuma’s dad is a former reporter who worked at the Cape Times and Cape Argus and who later moved up through the media ranks to management level. When asked whether he helped the Proteas player in preparation for his media duties, the batsman said that he was expecting more of the same when he gets home.
“I see he (Vuyo) was here and yes he will also be asking questions just like the journalists do.”
As for his innings that will be remembered as one of the most inspirational knocks at Newlands, Bavuma said that he wasn’t too stressed about getting past the 100 mark.
“When I got to 80, it felt like I was on nought again. Stuart Broad was bowling well and I thought to myself if I don’t get a milestone, maybe it just wasn’t meant to be.”
Reaching the century, however, is a feeling he will never forget.
“There was a lot of emotion, but once I got to 100, I tried to start all over again. And just to calm down, but it was difficult.”
Television audiences also watched an intriguing battle between Bavuma and England’s top run-scorer Ben Stokes who with ball in hand may have crossed the line when sledging his opponent.
Bavuma handled the situation like a seasoned Test player, stating that he didn’t take too much notice of the Englishman’s rants.
“He (Stokes) is a tough competitor. From what I saw today, he is a very tough competitor.
“He did come hard and afterwards he was man enough to come and say well done.
“I couldn’t hear everything he was saying but the more he kept speaking, the more it fired me up to knuckle down.” – African News Agency (ANA)
