It was extremely satisfying as Kagiso Rabada provided a starring role in bowling Australia out for 212 on day one of the World Test Championship final at Lord’s on Wednesday, but now after a Proteas batting collapse it’s up to Temba Bavuma and his charges to fight back.
Rabada, 30, was at the centre of a controversy the last couple of months, after he announced at the end of April he had tested positive for a banned recreational drug.
The drug was later confirmed to be cocaine. By the time Rabada made the announcement, he had just about completed his one-month ban and swiftly returned to action for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The leader of the Proteas attack, however, showed his class with 5/51 as Australia were bowled out shortly after lunch on the opening day.
Bavuma Stands Firm Amid Proteas’ Batting Collapse Against Australia’s Pace Attack
It was then the turn of the Proteas batsmen to drop the hammer when they came into bat, but they only succeeded in bludgeoning their own thumbs as they were reduced to 43/4. That 212 of Australia suddenly seemed like a long way away.
Aiden Markram (0), Ryan Rickelton (16), Wiaan Mulder (6) and Tristan Stubbs (2) were all back in the hut in a flash with the Aussie pace attack Mitchell Starc (2/10), Josh Hazlewood (1/10) and Pat Cummins (1/14) running riot.
Bavuma, though, held firm coming in at number four and dropped the anchor for his team as he remained not out with 3 from 37 balls. As the Proteas skipper is the most experienced batsman in the Proteas batting lineup, this situation is tailor-made for his resilient character.
Bavuma has often played his best knocks when the SA innings is crumbling around him, and on Thursday he will have the chance to see off the new ball, which is 22 overs old.
With David Bedingham (8 not out) at the other end, Bavuma will have a partner looking to prove himself against the mighty Australia.
Historically, Bavuma has also been criticised for not scoring more hundreds, but he has notched two of his four centuries in the format in the last year.
It’s the perfect time then, for Bavuma to score possibly the most important big score of his career, and it won’t be surprising if he does just that.
@Michael_Sherman
IOL Sport
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