South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma said that Australia wasn’t the team he was expecting to face in the World Test Championship final. Bavuma is gearing up for what he calls the biggest challenge of his Test career. The Proteas are set to face Australia in the much-anticipated ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s in June. For Bavuma, leading his team in this high-stakes match is a dream come true.
A Journey to Remember
Reflecting on South Africa’s journey to the WTC final, Bavuma didn’t hide his excitement. “The highest point (is) probably now, qualifying for the (World Test Championship) Final,” he shared after his team’s 2-0 series win over Pakistan.
South Africa’s journey to the WTC final wasn’t smooth. Nonetheless, they topped the WTC points table with 8 wins in 12 games. However, skipper Bavuma believes there’s still room for improvement within the team.
“We’re not a well-oiled machine yet,” Bavuma admitted. “But we’ve made massive strides, and the final is a reward for our efforts.”
Facing Australia at Lord’s
The prospect of facing Pat Cummins’ Australia in the WTC final doesn’t faze Bavuma. That said, he knows it won’t be a walk in the park.
“Look, if I can choose one team, probably not Australia. But I mean it is what it is, right?” he remarked with a smile.
Australia recently clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a 3-1 win over India. They’ll be heading into the WTC final brimming with confidence. But Bavuma is confident that his team will rise to the occasion and adjust to the conditions in England.
“Preparation is key,” he said. “We’ll leave no stone unturned as we get ready for Lord’s.”
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Bavuma’s Captaincy Record
Since taking over as South Africa’s Test captain in 2023, Bavuma has been nothing short of remarkable. The team is yet to lose a match under his leadership. They have eight wins in nine games.
Bavuma has thrived with the bat as well. He’s scored 809 runs at an impressive average of 57.78 as captain. Three of his four Test centuries have come while leading the side.
The Road Ahead
The WTC final will be a massive test for South Africa. But with Bavuma at the helm, they’ve got a leader who’s ready to take on the challenge.
“This is the pinnacle of Test cricket,” Bavuma said. “It’s an opportunity to etch our names in history.”
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