Zaahier Adams
Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma believes his team have the potential to become “a formidable side”.
South Africa are currently ranked fourth on the ICC Test table behind heavyweights Australia, India and England. Bavuma, though, feels that the young group he is currently leading has the potential to build towards forming a strong unit.
“We just need to keep building" Bavuma said, after the 40-run victory over West Indies in Guyana that clinched the series 1-0.
“We are an inexperienced team. The more the guys play, the more confident they will become. We can be a formidable side.”
“I’m really happy with the team’s effort. Winning away from home is never easy and should never be taken for granted. The emotions were a little bit up and down.” – Temba Bavuma
The Proteas were certainly made to work hard in their bid to secure their record 10th successive series win over the Windies. After rain washed away their hopes of pushing for a result in the first Test in Trinidad and Tobago, they were pinned to the floor at 97/9 in the first innings in Guyana.
It required a 63-run partnership for the last wicket between Dane Piedt and Nandre Burger – neither tail enders played in the first Test – to haul the Proteas up to a respectable 160 all out, which was ultimately enough for a slender 16-run lead.
“We only won by 40 runs, so yes, the first innings score of 38 not out by Piedt was very important,” said Bavuma. “It’s very satisfying to get this result,.
“I’m really happy with the team’s effort. Winning away from home is never easy and should never be taken for granted. The emotions were a little bit up and down.
“(We are) glad the weather held up. Both teams were in the game. We had to keep working hard. The game went our way, fortunately.
“We’ll take a lot of confidence from this. There were a couple of young faces in the group, but we played some good cricket. Of course, there are always things to improve on, in our batting and bowling.”
The Proteas next Test series is in November, when they host Sri Lanka for two matches in Durban and Gqeberha, respectively. Pakistan will visit SA for the Boxing Day and New Year’s Test thereafter.