Matthew Hayden sings Proteas captain Temba Bavuma’s praises: ‘What a champion effort’

Australian legend Matthew Hayden has lauded Proteas’ captain Temba Bavuma’s courage that has put his team on the brink of winning the World Test Championship final at Lord’s.

Bavuma battled a hamstring injury on Day 3, hobbling between every run, but soldiered on to finish unbeaten on 65. The skipper shared an unbroken 143-run stand with centurion Aiden Markram (102 not out) to leave the Proteas just 69 runs shy of their 282-run target heading into Day 4 on Saturday.

“What a champion effort. You could see early doors he was struggling with his hamstring, but he hung in there,” Hayden, who was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame last week, told Cricinfo. “He played really good simple cricket.”

The sun shone delightfully on Day 3 at Lord’s, causing the surface which accounted for 28 wickets on the opening two days to flatten out. Whereas previously there was significant sideways movement for the bowlers, the Aussie attack now had to change their tactics which allowed the Proteas’ batters to prosper. 

“They made Australia come searching for the wickets. Made them try to bowl fuller,” Hayden said.

“Aussies coming at the stumps a bit more at the stumps, bit more desperation, which made for easier pickings down the ground for Bavuma and Markram.”

The big Queenslander was highly critical of the way the Proteas started their first innings on Wednesday evening, when they laboured to 43/4 in 22 overs, Hayden believed South Africa’s intent was much better on Friday.

“The running between wickets has been awesome despite Bavuma’s hamstring,” he said.

“There has never been a phase that their strike-rates have been below 55. In fact, Markram’s been above 70.

“Bavuma has also been positive – even playing sweep shots against Nathan Lyon out of the rough, with a dodgy hamstring is really tough. He has shown good intent which is what is required in this run chase.”