Tag: Temba Bavuma

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Kyle Simmonds Crowned Overall Division 1 SACA MVP

The 2025/26 domestic cricket season concludes with Western Province all-rounder Kyle Simmonds named Division 1 Overall SACA MVP. Simmonds earned…

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Liam Alder Named Overall SACA MVP for Domestic Division 2

Following the completion of all domestic fixtures, Liam Alder of the Garden Route Badgers finished at the top of the…

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TWELVE YEARS OF RESEARCH-BASED PLAYER SERVICE

Over the past 12 years, the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) has cemented its dedication to evidence-based practice through a…

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SACA Launches Proteas MVP

SACA is proud to announce the launch of the Proteas MVP for Men and Women. Over the past decade, SACA has managed the SACA MVP for domestic cricketers, and the Proteas MVP will be managed alongside the domestic MVP.

In launching the Proteas MVP, SACA is partnering with CricViz, the world’s leading cricket data specialist, to be able to provide real-time post-match MVP statistics for the Proteas Men and Women.

The CricViz model is comprehensive and ranks player batting, bowling and fielding performances on a single scale measured in runs. Venue-specific elements that impact the progress of a match, such as average runs scored, wickets taken, and the nature of the pitch are taken into consideration. One of the many advantages of this MVP model is that points are allocated based on the context of the match during different phases and situations in that match. Furthermore, player points are graded, for each discipline, based on the effect the player’s performance has on the final outcome of a match.

“The domestic MVP has always been popular with players, and it is our hope that the Proteas MVP will provide players and fans alike with a statistical analysis that is accurate, interesting and enhances interest in our wonderful game” commented Andrew Breetzke, SACA CEO.

Proteas Test and ODI captain Temba Bavuma noted; “Given the volume of international cricket across the various formats, the Proteas MVP will provide an objective measure of performance. Cricket has always been a game of statistics; it will be great to focus the statistics on the actual performance of players.”

“MVP programmes for women have lagged behind those of the men, so this is a welcome addition for the women, and will add to the interest and growth of our game,” added Laura Wolvaardt, Proteas Women captain.

As at 30 August, the MVP Rankings across the formats played this season (commencing 1 June 2024) are as follows:

Overall Rankings
Proteas Men MVP – T20 World Cup stats

These rankings will be updated after each match played by the respective Proteas teams.

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MZANSI SUPER LEAGUE ANNOUNCES FINALISED T20 SQUADS

The inaugural Mzansi Super League (MSL) T20 Player Draft was held today at Montecasino in Johannesburg today.

Each team had already been allocated a Marquee Standard Bank Protea player. Today the teams made their picks from the six International Marquee Players and then filled the remaining 14 places in each squad from the foreign and South African players who had applied to enter the draft.

In the mini-round to select the International Marquee Players, the Durban heat had first call and went for Rashid Khan of Afghanistan, the No. 1 ranked bowler in the current ICC T20 rankings. They were followed by the Jozi Stars who went for Chris Gayle of the Windies. Paarl Rocks followed with another Windies player, Dwayne Bravo. Cape Town Blitz then took Dawid Malan of England followed by Tshwane Spartans with England white ball captain Eoin Morgan and Nelson Mandela Bay Giants with England opening batsman Jason Roy.

In round one proper, the Giants led off with Chris Morris, followed by the Spartans with Lungi Ngidi, the Blitz with Andile Phehlukwayo, the Rocks with Tabraiz Shamsi, the Stars with Kolpak star Dane Vilas and the Heat with David Miller.

Lutho Sipamla became the first rookie to be chosen in Round Eight by the Spartans and they followed with another rookie in Tony de Zorzi in Round Nine. Other rookies signed were Sinethemba Qeshile for the Stars, Dyllan Matthews for the Giants, Okuhle Cele for the Heat, Eathan Bosch for the Rocks, and Kyle Verreynne for the Blitz.

The resulting teams are a unique blend of both local youth and international experience which is sure to make for some very exciting cricket.

The Draft order was predetermined by a weighted Player Matrix system. The players who are eligible for the main Draft are those who entered into a binding agreement to enter the Draft.

FINAL SQUADS

(in order of Protea Marquee Player, International Marquee Player, and then the 14 draft rounds, making a total of 16 players per squad)

CAPE TOWN BLITZ: Quinton de Kock, Dawid Malan (England), Andile Phehlukwayo, Dale Steyn, Samuel Badree (Windies), Asif Ali (Pakistan), Farhaan Behardien, Anrich Nortje, Janneman Malan, Malusi Siboto, George Linde, Ferisco Adams, Jason Smith, Sibonelo Makhanya, Kyle Verreynne (rookie), Dane Piedt.

DURBAN HEAT: Hashim Amla, Rashid Khan (Afghanistan), David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Kyle Abbott (kolpak), Keshav Maharaj, Khaya Zondo, Albie Morkel, Marchant de Lange (kolpak), Vernon Philander, Brandon Mavuta (Zimbabwe), Temba Bavuma, Morne van Wyk, Okuhle Cele (rookie), Sarel Erwee, Tladi Bokako.

JOZI STARS: Kagiso Rabada, Chris Gayle (Windies), Dane Vilas, Rassie van der Dussen, Daniel Christian (Australia), Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Dwaine Pretorius, Eddie Leie, Pite van Biljon, Duanne Olivier, Ryan Rickelton, Sinethemba Qeshile (rookie), Simon Harmer, Calvin Savage, Alfred Mothoa.

NELSON MANDELA BAY GIANTS: Imran Tahir, Jason Roy (England), Chris Morris, Jon-Jon Smuts, Junior Dala, Christiaan Jonker, Aaron Phangiso, Ben Duckett (England), Sisanda Magala, Ryan McLaren, Heino Kuhn, Marco Marais, Dyllan Matthews (rookie), Lizaad Williams, Rudi Second, Carmi le Roux.

PAARL ROCKS: Faf du Plessis, Dwayne Bravo (Windies), Tabraiz Shamsi, Dane Paterson, Aiden Markram, Mangaliso Mosehle, Bjorn Fortuin, Vaughn van Jaarsveld, Grant Thomson, Paul Stirling (Ireland), Tshepo Moreki, Henry Davids, Cameron Delport , Eathan Bosch (rookie), Patrick Kruger, Kerwin Mungroo.

TSHWANE SPARTANS: AB de Villiers, Eoin Morgan (England), Lungi Ngidi, Robbie Frylinck, Jeewan Mendis (Sri Lanka), Theunis de Bruyn, Rory Kleinveldt, Sean Williams (Zimbabwe), Gihahn Cloete, Lutho Sipamla (rookie), Tony de Zorzi (rookie), Dean Elgar, Andrew Birch, Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe), Shaun von Berg, Eldred Hawken.

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DE BRUYN PUTS DOWN MARKER WITH MAIDEN TEST CENTURY

Theunis de Bruyn put down his marker for an extended run in the Standard Bank Proteas Test team with his maiden Test century on the fourth and final day of the second Test match against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on Monday.

He was unable to prevent Sri Lanka from clinching the inevitable win by 199 runs and a 2-0 series victory but both he and Temba Bavuma will have gone a long way to restore credibility for South Africa’s ability to make runs on the sub-continent.

De Bruyn was eventually bowled, not offering a stroke, by Rangana Herath for 101 (232 balls, 12 fours) to be the eighth man out by which time the game was beyond saving but his fourth innings century will go down alongside other notable fourth innings centuries for the Proteas.

These include Jonty Rhodes unbeaten century in the first ever Test match between the Proteas and Sri Lanka at Morutuwa in 1993, Jacques Kallis’ maiden Test century at Melbourne in 1997, Faf du Plessis’ match-saving century at Adelaide in 2012, the centuries made by Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers in chasing down 414 for victory at Perth in 2008 and the centuries by De Villiers and Du Plessis that nearly brought about a record runs chase against India at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium in 2013.

But, taking into account the struggle that foreign batsmen have on the sub-continent, De Bruyn’s innings has a special status.

De Bruyn and Bavuma both displayed excellent technique with their footwork and decisive use of the bat that largely took the bat/pad catch and lbw out of the equation.

This was De Bruyn’s debut Test match on the sub-continent while it was only Bavuma’s fifth, one of which was a virtual wash-out in Bangladesh, and they can both take a lot out of their performances looking ahead to the next visit to India.

Bavuma contributed the majority share (63 off 98 balls, 4 fours) to a partnership of 123 that was only six short of South Africa’s sixth-wicket partnership record against Sri Lanka.

Together they were responsible for the Proteas having easily their best batting session of the series with 109 runs being scored for the loss of 2 wickets in the morning session. The result was that the Proteas were able to make their highest fourth innings total ever on the sub-continent of 290.

The Proteas now have a few days to regroup ahead of the start of the five-match ODI Series in Dambulla on Sunday.

Sri Lanka opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne was the obvious choice as both Man of the Match and Man of the Series as his consistent batting in both matches as his 356 runs at an average of 118 was an essential difference between the two sides.

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CAREER-BEST MORNE SPEARHEADS HUGE WIN FOR PROTEAS AND 2-1 SERIES LEAD

Morne Morkel came agonisingly close to his first ever 10-wicket haul as he spearheaded the Standard Bank Proteas to their second successive four-day victory over Australia at PPC Newlands on Sunday.

He took 5/23, including two wickets off successive balls, to go with his 4/87 in the first innings to give him a career-best 9/110 in the match. It was the first time he had taken 9 wickets in a Test match. He was named Sunfoil Man of the Match.

He was instrumental in Australia’s second innings collapse that saw them lose all 10 wickets for 50 runs after an opening stand of 57 between David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.

The Australians had been set an improbable world record of 430 for victory following second innings half-centuries by Quinton de Kock (65 off 97 balls, 8 fours and a six) and Vernon Philander 952 not out off 79 balls, 6 fours and a six). It meant that the Proteas followed their 199 for the last four wickets in the previous Test in Port Elizabeth with 173 for the last 5 wickets this time out.

The Proteas margin of victory of 322 runs was their second largest in terms of runs margin being beaten only by the 323-runs margin in the last pre-unity series in 1970.

The Australia collapse was started by a direct hit run out by Faf du Plessis which saw the bowlers receive excellent back-up in the field. AB de Villiers and Aiden Markram both took superb catches close to the wicket while Temba Bavuma was also responsible for a run out.

While Morkel deserved the bowling plaudits there was also a fine contribution from Keshav Maharaj who, like Morkel, stood on the brink of a hat trick at one stage.

The Proteas now head to the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium for the final Sunfoil Test of the series with a 2-1 lead and the chance to score their first home series victory over Australia since unity.

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PROTEAS COMPLETE COMFORTABLE ODI SERIES CLEAN SWEEP

The Standard Bank Proteas wrapped up the Momentum ODI Series with a 200-run victory over Bangladesh in the final match at Buffalo Park in East London on Sunday. The 3-0 series victory gives them the No. 1 ICC ranking in this format for the time being.

Today’s victory was marred by the lower back injury suffered by captain Faf du Plessis, who was unbeaten on 91 at the time (67 balls, 10 fours and a six), having shared a third wicket record partnership against Bangladesh of 151 with new cap Aiden Markram.

It was all that was going to stop the South African captain recording his 9th hundred in this format. At the other end of the scale Markram looked as though he had a maiden century for the taking (66 off 60 balls, 4 fours and 2 sixes) before he ran himself out attempting a second run. By a quirk of fate he was also deprived of a Test century on debut by a run out.

Du Plessis has been ruled out of the KFC T20 International series next week with JP Duminy taking over the captaincy and Dwaine Pretorius coming in as a replacement player. AB de Villiers took up the captaincy for the balance of today’s match.

Bangladesh again paid the price for not being able to take wickets up front and not being able to get a good start themselves. The absence of Hashim Amla made little difference as Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma shared an opening stand of 119 that set up the Proteas for their best total against Bangladesh of 369/6 and they only lost 12 wickets in the entire series.

When Bangladesh batted they lost their first three wickets inside 6 overs to Kagiso Rabada and Dane Paterson and that was virtually the end of the contest. Paterson went on to finish with career best figures of 3/44 while the two new caps, Markram and Wiaan Mulder, took 3 wickets between them.

De Kock, Amla and De Villiers made almost 600 runs between them in the series with De Kock being named Momentum Man of the Series and Du Plessis Man of today’s match.

The presence of Bavuma, Markram (who took an outstanding slip catch) and Mulder certainly added youthful energy to the Proteas fielding effort.

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ELGAR AND BAVUMA KEEP ENGLAND AT BAY

Dean Elgar  was battered, bruised but unbowed but he and Temba Bavuma guided the Standard Bank Proteas to the less stormy waters of the close of play on the fourth day of the third Test match at The Oval in London on Sunday.

England nevertheless held an overwhelming advantage as they reduced the Proteas to 117/4 in pursuit of a victory target 492 from an initial 148 overs. Victory will give England a 2-1 lead in the series and will mean that they retain the Basil d’Oliveira Trophy.

At one stage it looked as though England would win the match on the fourth day after Ben Stokes back up his century in the first innings by dismissing Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis off successive balls with Bavuma coming to the crease on a hat trick.

But Bavuma, as he has had to do too often in the past, proved to be the right man to stabilize the innings in partnership with Elgar. By the close of play they had shared an unbroken stand of 65 for the fifth wicket with Elgar on 72 (111 balls, 11 fours) and Bavuma on 16 (59 balls, 1 four).

Elgar got hit on the hand several times and also on different parts of his body and, if he does go on to complete his 8th Test century, he will have earned it the hard day. This is his third half-century of the series and he has been far and away the most consistent batsman for his team. He was clearly in significant distress and many of his strokes were played almost one-handed.

He and Bavuma are certainly the best men on current form for the crisis in which the Proteas find themselves and it does pose the question as to whether Bavuma should be moved up the order for the final Test match at Old Trafford, starting on Friday.

The Proteas did a reasonable bowling job on the fourth day with Keshav Maharaj chipping away at the middle-order to take three wickets (3/50 in 13.5 overs) but the damage had already been done when England claimed a lead of 178 on the first innings and their position was consolidated by Tom Westley (59 off 141 balls, 11 fours), Joe Root (50 off 94 balls, 6 fours) and Jonny Bairstow (63 off 58 balls, 6 fours and a six).

Stokes was the pick of the England attack when it came to their turn to bowl (2/29 in an eight-over spell) but all the England bowlers proved hard to handle and the key fact is that they have been more successful than their Proteas counterparts in putting the ball in the right spot consistently.

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DU PLESSIS TO MISS OPENING TEST

Standard Bank Proteas test captain, Faf du Plessis will miss the opening Test against England at Lord’s to remain with his wife after the birth of their first child. Dean Elgar will stand in as captain, leading South Africa for the first time.

Du Plessis will rejoin the squad later in the week to prepare for the second Test at Trent Bridge which begins on July 14.

In du Plessis’ absence, South Africa look set to pick Theunis de Bruyn ahead of newcomer Aiden Markram, who was included in the squad as cover for du Plessis. De Bruyn was preferred over Markram in the tour match at New Road last week, and made his debut in South Africa’s most recent Test against New Zealand after Stephen Cook was dropped from the opening berth. De Bruyn scored 12 runs in the match and selection convener Linda Zondi confirmed that when the batsman was reconsidered for a Test spot it would not be as an opener. This is, therefore, an opportunity to blood him in the middle order.

“Theunis played the one Test match in New Zealand. There’s been a sense of fairness to players,” Russell Domingo, South Africa’s coach, said. “We haven’t really discarded a player after one Test match, or two or three innings. At the moment he would be ahead in the pecking order, ahead of a guy like Aiden.”

Even if Markram is made to wait, South Africa will still have at least one newcomer to the XI come Thursday. Heino Kuhn is set to partner stand-in skipper Elgar at the top of the order which means half of South Africa’s top four will be fairly inexperienced. Hashim Amla, with 103 Test caps, will bat at No.3 with Temba Bavuma and JP Duminy at No.5 and 6 respectively.

South Africa can call on seniority in the bowling department, though. Vernon Philander was passed fit after sustaining an ankle injury during a county stint at Sussex. His availability was particularly pleasing to Domingo, who regards Philander as among the tougher prospects for batsmen.

“Vernon is a fantastic bowler for us. He is probably the hardest bowler to face in our side and when he is not there, we tend to struggle a little but because he gives us that control but also gives us the cutting edge if there is something in the wicket and also balances our side with his batting. He is a fantastic cricketer.”

Philander will form part of a three-pronged pack alongside Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel. Duanne Olivier, Chris Morris and Andile Phehlukwayo are the reserves.

With the focus on the make-up of their own XI as they “try to find out what the best combination is,” as Domingo put it, South Africa have not spent too much time weighing up their opposition. Like South Africa, England are under a new captain in Joe Root – although his is a permanent appointment – and Domingo suggested his side would look to a test a top order which continues to be juggled around.

“We haven’t looked too closely at their side. Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Alastair Cook, Stuart Broad, James Anderson are five seriously experienced players who are all match winners in their own right. They are a good side but they’ve also got some uncertainties,” Domingo said. “There’s a new opening batter in Keaton Jennings who has only played a handful of Tests and Gary Ballance has come back into the side. There are certain areas where they may be a little uncertain about that we want to expose.”

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DE KOCK TURNS IN ANOTHER FIVE-STAR PERFORMANCE

Quinton de Kock  matched the previous performances of superstars Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers when he was named South African Cricketer of the Year and in all received a total of five awards at a glittering Cricket South Africa (CSA) awards function in Kyalami on Saturday evening.

Only Kagiso Rababa has done better with his six CSA awards last year. The other nine players to have received CSA’s most prestigious award are Jacques Kallis (2004 and 2011), Makhaya Ntini (2005 and 2006), Hashim Amla (2010 and 2013) and AB de Villiers (2014 and 2015) who have all won the award twice with the other previous winners being Shaun Pollock (2007), Dale Steyn (2008), Graeme Smith (2009), Vernon Philander (2012) and Rabada (2016).

In addition to the main award, De Kock was named Standard Bank Test Cricketer of the Year and Standard Bank ODI Cricketer of the Year, was honoured by his peers by being named SA Players’ Player of the Year and by the fans on being named SA Fans Player of the Year.

De Kock did, in fact, receive a sixth award which was for being named the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year.

His statistics for the year were remarkable, highlighted by his ODI innings of 178 against Australia in a series that saw him score 300 runs at an average of exactly 60 and a strike rate in excess of 137. His Test match performances were notable for his ability to score big runs when needed and to take the game away from the opposition.

In addition, the quality of his glove work was brilliant.

The only awards he did not win for which he was eligible were the Standard Bank T20 International Player of the Year award that went to Imran Tahir for the second year in a row and the KFC Award of Excellence that went to Temba Bavuma, again for the second successive year, for his brilliant run out of David Warner.

De Kock obviously was not a contender for RAM Delivery of the Year and that again went to Kagiso Rabada for his delivery that bowled Usman Khawaja at Perth.

Sune Luus was named SA Women’s Cricketer of the Year while Lizelle Lee was named SA Women’s Players Player of the Year.

The International Newcomer of the Year awards went to Keshav Maharaj and Laura Wolvaardt.

“Simply outstanding! What a year Quinton has had,” commented CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat. “He has shown the maturity of a seasoned campaigner with performances that have really counted when needed most, often blowing away the opposition in the process.

“It is encouraging that for the second time in a row our premier award has gone to one of our young stars who are shining with distinction alongside our world-class senior players.

“The way the Proteas have come through to rise up the ICC rankings in meteoric fashion has been quite brilliant and we now have a real team in the true sense of the word.

“Our domestic cricket remains blessed with great talents and congratulations to all the winners in those categories as well.

“I warmly congratulate all our winners, both at the international and domestic level, and I also wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge our umpires, grounds staff and scorers, too.”

The Multiply Titans were once again the biggest winners in the Professional Awards: Domestic category. Duanne Olivier of the VKB Knights was named Sunfoil Series Cricketer of the Year but for the rest it was the Titans nearly all the way well with Mark Boucher being named Pitchvision Coach of the Year, Farhaan Behardien CSA T20 Challenge Player of the Year, Henry Davids Momentum One-day Cup Cricketer of the Year, and Aiden Markram Domestic Newcomer of the Year. In addition, the Titans won the CSA Fair Play Award.

Colin Ackermann of the Warriors did the double of Domestic Players Player of the season and the SACA Most Valuable Player award.

Shaun George was named both CSA Umpire of the Year and CSA Umpires Umpire of the Year while there was a proud moment when Marais Erasmus received the David Shepherd Trophy as the ICC Umpire of the Year.

The Africa Cup T20 Player of the tournament went to Patrick Kruger of Northern Cape while PPC Newlands-based Evan Flint was named groundsman of the year

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ELGAR LEADS PROTEAS REVIVAL

Dean Elgar struck one of the finest centuries for his country to help the Standard Bank Proteas fight back from early trouble to end day one of the first Test against New Zealand with honours even at the University Oval in Dunedin on Wednesday.
 
The left-hander showed nerves of steel as he batted through the day to end unbeaten on 128 (262 balls, 22 fours) – South Africa reaching stumps on 229/4.
 
Elgar’s seventh career century was his second-longest in terms of balls, with the highest being the 316 deliveries he faced for 127 against Australia in Perth last year. It also came on the back of the tourists being in a huge hole at the start after they slipped to 22/3 in the first 19 overs against a disciplined Black Caps attack. Faf du Plessis (52 off 118 balls, 7 fours) and Temba Bavuma (37 not out) were also integral to the recovery.
 
The visiting captain won the toss at the start and took the rare option to bat first, the first time such a decision had been made in 22 Test matches in New Zealand – the last being in a clash between the hosts and Pakistan in Wellington during 2011. But it looked a questionable call as Stephen Cook (3), Hashim Amla (1) and JP Duminy (1) were all dismissed early, the latter pair removed within the space of five Neil Wagner (2/59) deliveries.
Elgar, who was dropped by wicketkeeper BJ Watling on 36, and Du Plessis then dug in as they put on 126 for the fourth wicket to give the innings a significant boost.
 
After the skipper fell to Jimmy Neesham (1/29), Bavuma proved the perfect foil with a typically determined 101-ball knock that enabled a further 81 to be added to the total with the visitors ending the day in the ascendancy.
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VILJOEN AND COOK PUT LIONS IN SIGHT OF VICTORY

Hardus Viljoen SACA MVP Sunfoil Series 2015/16 winner  took six wickets and Stephen Cook struck an unbeaten half-century to carry the bizhub Highveld Lions to the brink of victory after two days of their Sunfoil Series opener against the BuildNat Cape Cobras in Johannesburg on Thursday.  Fast bowler Viljoen, whose early season form last year forced him into the Proteas set-up, took 6/75 as the visitors were bowled out for 211 at the bidvest Wanderers Stadium on the second day.

Despite that being the highest score of the match, the Cobras’ paltry first-innings 102 meant that the Lions needed 160 for victory and they were racing there thanks to Cook’s brisk 63 not out (56 balls, 12 fours).  They closed on 117/0 and needed just 43 more to seal a winning start to the campaign. Rassie van der Dussen was with his skipper on an unbeaten 43.  But the first half of the day was all about two of the country’s rising talents.

Despite Viljoen picking up his 21st career five-for, it was the man supporting him, Wiaan Mulder, who enjoyed a dream debut. The South Africa Under-19 captain was the pick of the bowlers in the first innings with his 3/10 and he took a fine 4/54 with his right-arm medium pace second time around. It meant the 18-year-old all-rounder shared all 10 wickets with Viljoen. Another rookie that enjoyed a stellar outing was Cobras all-rounder Jason Smith. The 21-year-old, playing in only the second franchise match of his career, fell five runs short of a century when he top scored with 95 (117, 16 fours) in the his side’s second innings.

Smith was also the pick of the bowlers earlier in the day when he took 4/24 as the Lions were bowled out for 154. Temba Bavuma finished unbeaten on 76 (119 balls, 12 fours, 1 six).

 

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KNIGHTS VICTORY OPENS TITLE RACE

Half centuries from Reeza Hendricks and Michael Erlank helped the VKB Knights complete a comprehensive 10-wicket Sunfoil Series win over the bizhub Highveld Lions on the final afternoon of their clash in Johannesburg on Sunday.

Chasing a low target of just 115, the pair reached the mark in 32.4 overs with Hendricks ending unbeaten on 58 (112 balls, 7 fours, 2 sixes) and Erlank striking 55 (97 balls, 11 fours).

Their performance ensured the Knights forced themselves right back into the title hunt after the log-leading Unlimited Titans could only draw their game against the Sunfoil Dolphins in Durban.

The Pretoria-based side still head the table with 93.08 points, followed by the Lions (86.16) and the Central Franchise on 82.24.

The Knights also had their bowlers to thank on Sunday after they claimed the final five home wickets for 90 and fairly quickly on the final morning to raise their hopes.

Proteas batsman Temba Bavuma, on 20 overnight, barely lasted five overs without adding to his overnight total, before he was dismissed by Shadley van Schalkwyk (2/52).

Dwaine Pretorius (29) was out before him having added five to his day three score and was sent on his way by Duanne Olivier, the pick of the bowlers with 4/63. The Knights fast bowler ended with seven wickets in the match.

Once the two overnight men fell, the door was opened for the Central Franchise as they had the Lions all out for 218 in 68.4 overs. The match was effectively a three-day contest after day one at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium was abandoned due to rain and a wet outfield.

 

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LIONS, WARRIORS GEAR UP FOR QUALIFIER

bizhub Highveld Lions coach Geoffrey Toyana believes that starting the Momentum One-Day Cup Qualifier stronger against the Warriors in Johannesburg on Wednesday will go a long way towards deciding who will reach the final on Sunday. The two sides clash at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium with the Cape Cobras awaiting the winner at PPC Newlands.

The hosts will go into the game as the favourites due to home advantage and by virtue of ending the season in second position ahead of the visitors.

“It’s a vital game for both sides, but from our end everyone is in good spirit,” Toyana said. “Playing at home will be a big advantage for us. “But I think it will all boil down to whoever starts the game better. That will go a long way towards deciding the outcome.”

The Warriors have had a disappointing season overall, but Toyana praised the work of young coach Malibongwe Maketa, saying they were dangerous opponents. “I think Malibongwe has done a very good job there,” he added. “His partnership with Colin Ingram is fantastic and the past 12 months they’ve played some good one-day cricket.”

The Lions have some major injury worries ahead of the game with both Temba Bavuma (back) and Eddie Leie (hamstring) likely to miss out. Hardus Viljoen faces a late fitness test, but Dwaine Pretorius is expected to return from injury.

The Warriors have even bigger injury concerns as skipper Ingram nurses back and knee problems. He is being monitored closely by their medical staff. Clyde Fortuin (finger) is expected to be fit to take his place in the XI. Coach of the Eastern Cape side Maketa, insisted there were no underdogs for the clash. “To be honest, that (counting ourselves as underdogs) will be trying to hide,” he said. “I think it’s a 50-50 game.

“There’s no underdog, it’s all about going out there and executing your skills. I think our chances are pretty good. We’ve prepared well and played some good one-day cricket overall this season. I think the side that pitches up will get through.”

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COOK, BOWLERS PUT LIONS IN QUALIFIER

The bizhub Highveld Lions booked their place in the Momentum One-Day Cup qualifier after a comprehensive four-wicket win over the VKB Knights at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

After winning the toss and bowling first, the Johannesburg side knocked over their hosts for a below-par 169 in 38.3 overs, before chasing down victory with 61 balls to spare. There were several stand-out performances with the ball for the Lions, including six wickets shared between Matt McGillivray and Eddie Leie.

Rookie fast bowler McGillivray was the pick of the bowlers with 3/32, while leg-break bowler Leie claimed 3/43.  But it was the single wicket by Aaron Phangiso (1/32) of Letlotlo Sesele (29) with the total on 109/2 that triggered a collapse of eight wickets for 60 runs.

Another inexperience bowler Carmi le Roux collected 2/29 to mop up the tail, while top scorer for the Knights was Reeza Hendricks (41).

The Lions lost stand-in opener Temba Bavuma (5) early in their chase, but his partner Stephen Cook anchored the chase with 64 (96 balls, 8 fours) to take his side to the brink. Nicky van den Bergh (43 not out) finished the job, while Alviro Petersen (36) provided some earlier support for the captain as the visitors moved to second on the table.

With the Warriors losing to the Cape Cobras also on Saturday, the result means that the Lions cannot be caught in second and will therefore host the February 24 qualifier. The Cobras also secured themselves an automatic berth in the final they will host on February 28 by winning in Port Elizabeth.

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BOWLERS SET UP EASY COBRAS WIN

Beuran Hendricks led a splendid all-round bowling display as the Cape Cobras took a huge step towards the Momentum One-Day Cup final with a comprehensive six-wicket win over the bizhub Highveld Lions at Boland Park in Paarl on Sunday. The left-arm seamer claimed 3/18 to help the hosts dismiss their visitors for a paltry 133 all out in 40.3 overs.

There were also 2 wickets each for Dane Piedt (2/20), Dane Paterson (2/26) and Wayne Parnell (2/35). The hosts then cruised home with just 4 wickets down and 16.5 overs to spare, thanks to an unbeaten 63 off 86 balls from Andrew Puttick. Stiaan van Zyl made 35, but the real work had been even before the Cobras had gone out to bat with their bowlers firing.

All but one of the Lions batsmen struggled after they had lost the toss and were asked to bat first by home captain Justin Ontong.

The Johannesburg-based team were 3/1, 5/2 and then 7/3 with three of their key batsmen in Rassie van der Dussen (2), Alviro Petersen (2) and Temba Bavuma (0) gone for next to nothing on the scoreboard.

They failed to recover from that and when captain Stephen Cook (9) fell to make it 24/4, they were left scrapping. Dominic Hendricks top-scored with an unbeaten 44, while extras was joint next best with 15, along with three other players.

Defeat left the Lions in second place on 19 points and as the only side with a chance of overhauling the Cobras (29), who also claimed a bonus point. But they will need to win their remaining two games with bonus points and hope the Cape side lose their last two matches.

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DUAL CAREER. DUAL SUCCESS.

Can you become a Proteas player while studying? Temba Bavuma provides the answer…

When Temba Bavuma scored his maiden Test century against England in January, all the headlines were about him becoming the first ethnic black South African to do so.

Less heralded was the interesting fact that he proved that chasing dual career objectives need not affect cricket performance – he finished his degree in 2014, the same year he was selected for the Proteas against West Indies.

The seeds for the 25-year-old batsman doing tertiary education were sown during his high school years. Bavuma started Grade 8 in 2003 at SACS in Cape Town, then spent the following year at Fourways High when his family moved to Johannesburg before completing school at St David’s Marist Inanda after receiving a cricket scholarship.

He passed matric in 2007, but he then decided to do post matric in the year he turned 18.

“Doing post matric was mainly from a cricket point of view as I didn’t want to get lost in the system being only 17. [He had only made the SA Schools Colts team in his actual matric year, but then went on to make the Gauteng provincial side before SA Schools and SA Under-19 selection after the 2008 Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Cricket Week] Academically, it basically reinforced all the knowledge that I had. St David’s didn’t actually have post matric, so I just redid subjects and reinforced my marks.”

In so doing, Bavuma achieved three distinctions, one of which set the platform for what he wanted to study.

“When I finished school, I knew the importance of getting a qualification to be able to have a career outside of cricket – my parents always stressed the importance of education. Accounting had always been a favourite subject of mine, so I knew I wanted to go into finance.”

So in 2009, Bavuma registered for a BCom Financial Management degree at University of Johannesburg. Eighteen months later though, he dropped out – the demands of full-time tertiary education not mixing well with his burgeoning cricket career.

“For me it was quite hard initially to find the balance between cricket and studying. With cricket we’re travelling a lot and some days after a game I’d be studying until one or two in the morning… that was quite tough.”

As it turned out, it was his progress in professional cricket that proved pivotal in him finding the right balance.

“In 2012 I became a SACA member and one of the main benefits for me was related to my studies through the Player Plus programme and the financial point of view. SACA awarded me a bursary to restart my studies through Unisa. What also helped was the close contact with my SACA PDM, Mary-Jane Goebel. We spoke frequently, and she would check on my progress and help me with anything I needed. I was motivated in what I was doing but her help was important.”

Bavuma confirms that he’s never regretted his decision to target dual career goals.

“I’ve missed a couple of exams because of cricket and sometimes walked straight onto the field after writing an exam but I’ve always enjoyed studying. It’s had a positive effect on my cricket as it takes my mind off the game. When the Player Plus programme was presented to us I didn’t have an idea of the kind of benefit it would have for me. Looking back now, and particularly having somebody like Mary-Jane to throw ideas at… she’s been like a mentor throughout the process and has really assisted in helping me get through my degree which I finished in 2014.”

A further off-field interest, beyond his regular house music DJ sessions with his friends, is Bavuma’s involvement with a cricket coaching programme at his alma mater and his role in organising the annual Langa All Day Festival of Cricket, held over the festive period.

“Langa is a place I hold close to my heart as it was where I was born and grew up. We [fellow Langa-born professionals Thami Tsolekile, Malusi Siboto, Siya Simetu and Nono Pongolo are also involved] organise the festival as basically a day to unite the community where they can enjoy themselves in sport. This past year we had about 3500 supporters whereas the first edition had about 2000 – so the day is growing thanks to sponsors like Kookaburra, KFC, Score and Cricket South Africa.”

As it is, while Bavuma chases further honours with the Proteas, he is determined to do the same off the field too…

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PROTEAS COLLAPSE PUTS INDIA AHEAD

India bowled the Castle Lager Proteas out virtually in one session to take a huge advantage into the second half of the final Freedom Series Test match at Delhi on Friday.

The Proteas had gone into tea on 38/1 with Temba Bavuma looking comfortable in his new role of opening batsman and there was no indication of what was to follow. But by the close of play the Proteas were all out for 121 with the opening stand of 36 between Bavuma and Elgar being easily the best of the innings. In all they lost 9/83 in the session.

India had taken their overnight 231/7 to a very handy 334 all out with Ajinkya Rahane (127 off 215 balls, 11 fours and 4 sixes) scoring his fifth Test century and his first on home soil. He was well supported by Ravi Ashwin (56 off 140 balls, 6 fours and a six) in a partnership of 98 for the eighth wicket.

It represented a huge turnaround from the position at tea on the first day when India were struggling at 139/6. What happened in the evening session thereafter was probably the turning point of the match.

There can be no excuses for the South African batting effort with the possible exception of AB de Villiers (42 off 78 balls, 5 fours), who was caught on the boundary as he ran out of partners.

All four Indian frontline bowlers dovetailed superbly together. Although Ravendra Jadeja took the individual honours with his fourth five-wicket haul (5/30 in 12 overs, all bowled in the final session), the Proteas struggled as much against reverse swing as they did against the spinners who did not get any particular advantage out of the pitch apart from the odd delivery that kept low.

Significantly, the best performances in this match have largely come from the new players brought into the team. Dane Piedt took 4 wickets on the first day and Kyle Abbott cleaned up the tail this morning to finish with an impressive 5/40 in 24.5 overs.

Bavuma may have made only 22 but he looked to the manner born. His judgment outside the off-stump was excellent as was his balance and footwork. There are advantages to being small in the game of cricket and Bavuma has adjusted his game plan well to the needs of the situation. There is every reason to retain him in this position for the start of the Test series against England.

India have been sharper than the Proteas everywhere that has counted and the first innings deficit of 213 has effectively put the Proteas out of the game.

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