Temba Bavuma - First South African black cricketer to hit a Test century

Bhaijaan

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Amidst all the arguements against African quota policy, this comes off as a positive development. Well done Temba!

We all enjoyed watching Makhaya Ntini now. Now hopefully Temba will lead the way for aspiring young black South Africans to take up the bat. Great stuff and a quality hundred by the way.
 
Didn't ashwell prince and alviro Peterson score centuries
 
Good on him, hope he continues this way. He can be a role model for many.
 
I absolute love African names,

Makhaya Ntini
Temba
Rabada
Tshabalala
Telemarcus

:holding awesomeness
 
He came in at a precarious stage and slammed a brilliant 100.

When sledging goes wrong


Ben Stokes sledged new South Africa star Temba Bavuma as England tempers boiled over in the second Test in Cape Town yesterday.

After forcing Bavuma into a false shot early in his innings, England's Kiwi-born double-century hero mouthed at the 5ft 3in (160cm) batsman: 'You are absolutely s*** .'

Bavuma responded by becoming the first black South African to make a century for his country as the hosts declared on 627 for seven. England closed the fourth day on 16 without loss, 18 runs ahead.



England assistant coach Paul Farbrace said: 'Ben was the first to run after Bavuma when he walked off to shake his hand and tell him how well he had played.


I don't think it's anything either side will get too worried about.'

Bavuma said: 'Some of the things he said I couldn't really hear but the more he kept speaking, the more he fired me up to stay focused.'

On a niggly day, Jimmy Anderson was warned for sledging and Stuart Broad was fined 30 per cent of his match fee for dissent.

But it was Bavuma who stole the show.

As a township boy growing up in Cape Town, Bavuma never dreamed of becoming the first black African to score a Test ton for his country, let alone a role model for aspiring young cricketers.

The 25-year-old, born a short distance from the Newlands ground, is just the fifth black African to follow trailblazer Makhaya Ntini, who won 101 caps.

Bavuma came under scrutiny before the game as South Africa's commitment to an ethnically balanced side resulted in some awkward questions about selection policy. But his answer at the crease was emphatic and he is fully aware of the significance.

He said: 'I understand what it means but I'm struggling to find the words. I'm quite relieved, full of emotion and very satisfied from a personal and team point of view. I've been wanting to cross off that first Test hundred and to do it at my favourite ground was extra special.'

He added: 'At first, cricket was a passion, I just played for the love of it. When I made the SA Schools side, that's when I realised cricket could be more than a passion, something I can use to inspire other people.

'When I made my debut for South Africa I came to be a bit more aware and realise the significance behind it all. It was not about me making my debut, it was about being a role model, an inspiration for other kids, black African kids. Achieving this kind of milestone will strengthen that example.'

-Daily Mail

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/cricket/news/article.cfm?c_id=29&objectid=11570059
 
Got lucky. As long as the quota exists SA will underperform. The best XI in SA are white players 99% of the time.
 
So they keep records for how people look like?
 
Postponed this for a bit to let the Gayle self suicide storm, Amla's vacating, and Afridi's outburst dissipate.

Temba Bavuma, 100 was a watershed moment in the history of South African and International Cricket. Always is a delightment to see people breaking prejudices and stereotypes. The wider the audience the better it is for the game.

South African cricket has come a long way in the accepting non-whites in cricket. Sometimes, it looks as if the clepsydra has swung too much the other way (as rumored to be in the WC Semi final 2015) but this 100 will calm those fears down. Needless to say, with balance strides have to be made

Makhaya Ntini, broke the barrier for fast bowlers and we have seen a sting of black fast bowlers, hopefully Temba's innings could do that on the batting side. The fast bowling side looks decent with Kagiso Rabada.
 
Has the looks of a good compact player who knows his limitations but can still score runs, hes scored heavily also at "A" team level so he is in the side on merit and hope he has alot of sucsess as player in future for S.A
 
SA's best black player is most probably Vernon Philander. Well done to Bavuma, doing your country proud.
 
SA's best black player is most probably Vernon Philander. Well done to Bavuma, doing your country proud.

Again Philander is not fully black he is considered coloured like Duminy, Ashwell Prince and others. SA's best black player to date is probably Ntini but both Bavuma and Rabada have a lot of potential.
 
So they keepecords for how people look like?

Well given South Africa have never had a black specialist batsman until Temba Bavuma, let alone many black cricketers, its a pretty easy thing to keep track of !

Got lucky. As long as the quota exists SA will underperform. The best XI in SA are white players 99% of the time.
Please tell how you can "luck" your way to a hundred against a top class international Test bowling attack ? Was he lucky in being selected ? They had Kagiso Rabada in the team so they could've dropped Bavuma if they wanted to.

Also let me correct your statement - as long as cricket remains the preserve of a 20% minority then SA cricket will underperform. One of the reasons why SA have produced so many white cricketers is because they've received opportunities the majority of the poor black population simply don't get, that is access to the top private and government schools which have a strong cricket setup. Quotas are an imperfect way of giving opportunities but reversing centuries of discrimination was always going to be difficult, plus quotas aren't meant to reward black cricketers who are complete no-hopers - the black player still has to have ability.

OK let's say Bavuma fails to make it in international cricket. So what ? This innings may have inspired tens, hundreds if not thousands of ordinary black kids who represent 80% of the population to take up the sport. If that's a result of this hundred - then its worth it as it means SA will have a bigger talent pool to pick from in the future - not just wealthy whites or blacks who go to the best schools, but working class blacks AS WELL as the top white cricketers. Black kids need to be inspired, to know that they can make it, that they won't be held down due to their skin colour and see one of their own - Temba Bavuma the township boy from Cape Town coming good.
 
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When sledging goes wrong


Ben Stokes sledged new South Africa star Temba Bavuma as England tempers boiled over in the second Test in Cape Town yesterday.

After forcing Bavuma into a false shot early in his innings, England's Kiwi-born double-century hero mouthed at the 5ft 3in (160cm) batsman: 'You are absolutely s*** .'

Bavuma responded by becoming the first black South African to make a century for his country as the hosts declared on 627 for seven. England closed the fourth day on 16 without loss, 18 runs ahead.



England assistant coach Paul Farbrace said: 'Ben was the first to run after Bavuma when he walked off to shake his hand and tell him how well he had played.


I don't think it's anything either side will get too worried about.'

Bavuma said: 'Some of the things he said I couldn't really hear but the more he kept speaking, the more he fired me up to stay focused.'

On a niggly day, Jimmy Anderson was warned for sledging and Stuart Broad was fined 30 per cent of his match fee for dissent.

But it was Bavuma who stole the show.

As a township boy growing up in Cape Town, Bavuma never dreamed of becoming the first black African to score a Test ton for his country, let alone a role model for aspiring young cricketers.

The 25-year-old, born a short distance from the Newlands ground, is just the fifth black African to follow trailblazer Makhaya Ntini, who won 101 caps.

Bavuma came under scrutiny before the game as South Africa's commitment to an ethnically balanced side resulted in some awkward questions about selection policy. But his answer at the crease was emphatic and he is fully aware of the significance.

He said: 'I understand what it means but I'm struggling to find the words. I'm quite relieved, full of emotion and very satisfied from a personal and team point of view. I've been wanting to cross off that first Test hundred and to do it at my favourite ground was extra special.'

He added: 'At first, cricket was a passion, I just played for the love of it. When I made the SA Schools side, that's when I realised cricket could be more than a passion, something I can use to inspire other people.

'When I made my debut for South Africa I came to be a bit more aware and realise the significance behind it all. It was not about me making my debut, it was about being a role model, an inspiration for other kids, black African kids. Achieving this kind of milestone will strengthen that example.'

-Daily Mail

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/cricket/news/article.cfm?c_id=29&objectid=11570059

Got to love Ben Stoke's spirits at times, sure he gets carried away but he does have that x factor
Even beefy was saying he wasnt as good as Ben was when he was 24
 
Got lucky. As long as the quota exists SA will underperform. The best XI in SA are white players 99% of the time.

You pretty much have no knowledge or authority to say this.

We all don't know enough about the chances black players are getting at the domestic/youth level, it is very possible decision makers have had a thinking similar to yours. I also do wish the quota system was not in place, but I wonder if it's necessary.
 
I don't think he should be allowed to play normal people cricket. Normal length balls were like bouncers to him and yorkers came to him at waist height.
 
Temba Bavuma

His initial selection for South Africa may have been questioned as to whether it was based on cricketing merit or was just to fill the quota system the South Africa have to fill. Personally from watching him on TV have to say that his selection should be seen as on Merit, hes scored some pretty hand runs for South Africa so far. His batting stroke play at times might be limited but he certainly is making the most of his limitations and is digging in for his team when required. A pretty decent test career should lie ahead for him.
 
Didn't really like the guy because I was sure he was there just to fill the quota but he seems like a genuine talent. Spectacular so far in the shorter and longer format.
 
Thought he was in the team because of all the wrong reasons.. But he is proving doubters wrong. Has a solid defense and mental discipline to leave balls going outside of off-stumps. Will be most suitable in anchor role
 
Fantastic test cricketer. Watching Bavuma, Faf and Amla leave the ball on a testing pitch was the highlight of this test for me. You don't find such compact defence these days.
 
Plays the short ball well for someone of his height.

I hope we can stop it with this quota nonsense. Temba Bavuma is there on merit.

Terrific fielder too.
 
And what wrong reasons would those be?
Players like Bavuma would never been given the opportunity despite performing domestically.
It was refreshing to see a black player given an opportunity with the willow.
It's the boldest decision CSA have ever made.
And one that was always right irrespective of what the naysayers thought.
Bavuma is more important to SA sports than Rabada and Ntini combined. Irrespective of how his career pans out, he'll be an inspiration for generations to come.
 
Got lucky. As long as the quota exists SA will underperform. The best XI in SA are white players 99% of the time.

what an atrocious comment. It's such poor and uninformed remarks that almost prevent this country going forward.
Even worse measures were taken to try and destroy M. Ntini career, there are evil forces in this country who don't want this country united and truly representative.
That includes South Africa's main broadcaster.
 
For quota and classification purposes how do they decide who is "coloured" and who is "black". If Bavuma has a white great great great grandparent does this move him into the "coloured" category?
 
He is SA's Asad Shafiq, a useful support batsman but not someone who can be their main batsman.
 
The same wrong reasons why someone like Tsotsobe was in the squad at one point.. Temba's domestic record isn't impressive at all (averages mere 38) so logically speaking it's natural for someone to question his place in the squad. But that doesn't mean he can't make the best of opportunity.

Amla too started out as quota player from memory and his start wasn't at all impressive. But he turned out to be alright.

I don't favor quota but given SA's history I can't deny its relevance
 
He is SA's Asad Shafiq, a useful support batsman but not someone who can be their main batsman.

Actually SA would have been in deep trouble if not for his knock.. Looked really solid
 
And what wrong reasons would those be?
Players like Bavuma would never been given the opportunity despite performing domestically.
It was refreshing to see a black player given an opportunity with the willow.
It's the boldest decision CSA have ever made.
And one that was always right irrespective of what the naysayers thought.
Bavuma is more important to SA sports than Rabada and Ntini combined. Irrespective of how his career pans out, he'll be an inspiration for generations to come.

Why is bavuma more important than Rabada and Ntini combined if you dont mind me asking?
 
Why is bavuma more important than Rabada and Ntini combined if you dont mind me asking?

For starters there's a stereotypical mentality perpetuated by the separatist media including Supersport that black Africans don't like cricket. Which is absolute nonsense.
They are too busy playing opposition politics and are against anything the government is trying to achieve, positive or otherwise.
They tried to destroy Makhaya Ntini, but I won't get into that.

Since Ntini was a success, it eventually became accepted that blacks would be accepted, but at a limited level. That is mainly as bowlers, thus limit the players of colour in the side. Guys like AB had a bullying mentality. They bullied Tsolekile, when he was good enough to be the glovesman and bat.
It's shameful what they did to him, they destroyed his career.

Bavuma breaks the stereotypes in more ways than one. Not only can SA accommodate bowlers but batsmen too. He's an inspiration to millions in the country.
Without any fear nor favour i am 100% for transformation (i.e. sensible targets). Its unacceptable for the natives to be paying bills they are not even a part of.
 
He's a very good player. From the 1st time I watched him,I always genuinely thought he would be a good player. Glad he's proving me right.
 
Thought he was in the team because of all the wrong reasons.. But he is proving doubters wrong. Has a solid defense and mental discipline to leave balls going outside of off-stumps. Will be most suitable in anchor role

Same. I feel bad for judging him to be an undeserving pick due to his color
 
The same wrong reasons why someone like Tsotsobe was in the squad at one point.. Temba's domestic record isn't impressive at all (averages mere 38) so logically speaking it's natural for someone to question his place in the squad. But that doesn't mean he can't make the best of opportunity.

Amla too started out as quota player from memory and his start wasn't at all impressive. But he turned out to be alright.

I don't favor quota but given SA's history I can't deny its relevance

Tsotsobe?
The guy was easily the best ODI bowler in the world at one stage. Destroyed his own career by nit taking fitness and fielding seriously. Had a poor attitude in general.
His talent was there for all to see, you don't thrash Australia 4-1 in their backyard by being a useless bowler.

As for Bavuma, he had a good 3 seasons prior to his selection. He's overall average isn't indicative of the strides he's made.
Cook also has a low average, didn't start scoring heavily until his 30's.
Nothing sinister about any of these players. Selected purely on merit. That's all there is to it.
 
Faf has been disappointing in tests lately, not sure if he even deserves to be on the team. Has done better in limited overs, though.

Faf specialises in hopeless rescue missions than winning matches which is disappointing.
At least Bavuma has been willing to dig in in the first or second innings even if as a support cast. Whereas Faf has been a fourth innings specialist where he dead bats everything and bat at his tempo. He can't move the game forward in Tests.
Bavuma will be involved in critical partnerships with AB, QdK and Philander going. That's crucial. One can't wait for the fourth innings to contribute.
 
For starters there's a stereotypical mentality perpetuated by the separatist media including Supersport that black Africans don't like cricket. Which is absolute nonsense.
They are too busy playing opposition politics and are against anything the government is trying to achieve, positive or otherwise.
They tried to destroy Makhaya Ntini, but I won't get into that.

Since Ntini was a success, it eventually became accepted that blacks would be accepted, but at a limited level. That is mainly as bowlers, thus limit the players of colour in the side. Guys like AB had a bullying mentality. They bullied Tsolekile, when he was good enough to be the glovesman and bat.
It's shameful what they did to him, they destroyed his career.

Bavuma breaks the stereotypes in more ways than one. Not only can SA accommodate bowlers but batsmen too. He's an inspiration to millions in the country.
Without any fear nor favour i am 100% for transformation (i.e. sensible targets). Its unacceptable for the natives to be paying bills they are not even a part of.

Are there any quotas for grassroots spending by CSA? I imagine that'd be the place where you make the most difference over a generation.
 
Bavuma is a great find for the Saffers it must be tough for him people thinking he is only in the team because of the Quota system but he is proving his doubters wrong.
 
Had me worried for a while. He was in a serious slump, good to see him get out of it.
 
Had me worried for a while. He was in a serious slump, good to see him get out of it.

Still averages only around 32 after playing almost 20 matches. Don't think he would get so many chances if it wasn't for the colour of his skin. Duminy too has played nearly 50 matches with an average of 33.
 
Bavuma is a great find for the Saffers it must be tough for him people thinking he is only in the team because of the Quota system but he is proving his doubters wrong.

He is in for his skin color & 6 given spots - basically, he is the best of not white batsmen. Before this innings, his average was 30 in 25+ innings, which is too low for a specialist batsman in a team like SAF.

However, it's just balancing history, because before 60s, there were many white players playing regularly or even captaining with much inferior stats.
 
Still averages only around 32 after playing almost 20 matches. Don't think he would get so many chances if it wasn't for the colour of his skin. Duminy too has played nearly 50 matches with an average of 33.

Merit should always win. This pathetic quota system will only diminish the quality in everything.
 
The ones who incessantly moan about quotas are conveniently silent when Heino Kuhn fails in innings after another. Yet Bavuma is labelled a quota player even though he has a hundred and eight fifties to his name.

If he can sort out his conversion issues, he can be a quality Test batsman. Too often he makes good starts but doesn't cash in.

Seems to have a solid technique, one of the best against lateral movement in this South African Test team. Faf du Plessis promoted him to 4 in this match - right decision given de Kock bottled his promotion to 4.
 
The ones who incessantly moan about quotas are conveniently silent when Heino Kuhn fails in innings after another. Yet Bavuma is labelled a quota player even though he has a hundred and eight fifties to his name.

If he can sort out his conversion issues, he can be a quality Test batsman. Too often he makes good starts but doesn't cash in.

Seems to have a solid technique, one of the best against lateral movement in this South African Test team. Faf du Plessis promoted him to 4 in this match - right decision given de Kock bottled his promotion to 4.
De kock is also of mixed race. Another quota player.
 
He actually looks really solid in the crease but until he starts converting and pushes that average up people will keep questioning his place in the side.
 
He has the potential to become a quality Test batsman. Should be given a consistent run batting in the top five.
 
Temba Bavuma throws his hat in the ring to bat at No.4

AB de Villiers has quit international cricket, leaving South Africa to look for someone to fill the No.4 slot in the batting order in Test cricket when they travel to Sri Lanka later in the year.

Temba Bavuma, the 28-year-old middle-order batsman, has set his sights on the vacancy, saying that he will cherish the chance to slot in for de Villiers.

“I'll be opportunistic. There is a role for someone to come in at No. 4 and I'll put up my hand to bat in that position. Hopefully the selectors are looking towards me,” said Bavuma.

Bavuma has played 29 Tests for an average of 34.87 since making his debut in December 2014. Interestingly, during de Villiers’ absence from Test cricket last year, Bavuma did bat at No.4 for a while, performing decently. In five innings over a Test in Manchester and then two at home against Bangladesh, Bavuma scored 167 runs at 41.75.

"Maybe it is something that could help my game because I haven't been able to convert my starts,” said Bavuma, who has one century and 10 half-centuries to his name. “Coming in at No. 4, the opportunity will be there to score those big runs, and you have to score big runs actually. With what I am trying to achieve, it could work hand in hand.”

South Africa have played 12 Tests in Sri Lanka over the tears, winning three and losing four. And when they travelled to India in 2015, they lost the four-Test series 3-0. Bavuma only played the last Test of that series, opening the innings with Dean Elgar, and scored 22 and 34 as South Africa put up just 121 and 143.

“From a team point of view, we didn't do as well as we wanted to so there will be those gremlins in our heads, but I guess we got the opportunity to face the extreme of spin,” said Bavuma. “Hopefully in Sri Lanka it's not like that, but we will try to prepare for the worst and hopefully the good comes.”

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/727740
 
Bit of a pocket rocket - but surely better than Asad Shafiq, one would imagine?
 
Bavuma hasn’t really built on his debut test ton. Needs to come good soon or he’ll be dropped from the test team.
 
Reminds me a lot of Asad Shafiq. So talented, yet isn't really reaching his potential for some reason.
 
Feel these two players are almost identical the way they bat.

Any one else see any similarities?
 
Shafiq is classy, a better batsman and a regular under-achiever.

Bauvma is not at all classy, or a particularly good batsman. To be an under-achiever he would have to actually achieve something.

Both are very short, which is the only similarity I can think of.
 
Bavuma would never play for any international team if it wasn't for the quota system.
 
It is mind boggling he has played 40 tests with an average of 30. Just 1 century.
 
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In India such job security for government employees resulted in inefficiency. And same in sports for SA too. Btw, the same quota system has ensured ntini a place but he was one of the SA greats. And so are Rabada (who is #1/2 bowler in Tests for 2-3 years now), ngidi ( promising ) & philander (who finished as SA great.) So, it points to more inefficient selection committee which cannot find better talent among the available resources.
 
Shafiq is classy, a better batsman and a regular under-achiever.

Bauvma is not at all classy, or a particularly good batsman. To be an under-achiever he would have to actually achieve something.

Both are very short, which is the only similarity I can think of.

Bavuma played some beautiful strokes. Cover drive was amazing.
 
Other than height and some shots on the offside there isnt a lot of common things between them. Bavuma was always a limited batsman with limited technique and range. Shafiq had a higher ceiling but under achieved.
 
Temba Bavuma Slams Critics For Double Standards in Transformation Debate, Says 'I'm Black, That's my Skin Colour'

After playing a match-winning knock of 98 in the first ODI against England, South Africa batsman Temba Bavuma hopes his innings will send a strong reminder to those who were continuously questioning his place in the playing XI. With new skipper, Quinton de Kock in the company, Bavuma’s knock powered South Africa to an easy seven-wicket win over world champions England at Newlands, Cape Town on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old accepted the fact that it’s tough being under scrutiny all the time because of the skin colour and it has affected him mentally. On Tuesday, Bavuma (98) shared a 173-run second-wicket stand with skipper de Kock (107) as they chased down England’s 259 with 14 balls to spare. Unfortunately, Bavuma just fell two runs short of a second ODI century as Chris Jordan skidded a ball through to trap him on his crease.

“Yes, I am black, that’s my skin. But I play cricket because I love it. I’d like to think the reason I am in the team is because of performances I have put forward in my franchise side, and also for the national team, whenever I have been able to,” Bavuma told reporters after the Cape Town ODI.

“The discomfort was there, having to navigate myself around all those types of talks. Players get dropped, I am not the last guy to get dropped. That’s something we’ve come to accept.”

Earlier, Bavuma was dropped from Test side for a home series against England that South Africa lost 1-3.

“It has been hard,” Bavuma, who was speaking for the first time since his recall to the national team last month.

“It’s not so much the dropping part, all players get dropped, everyone goes through slumps of not scoring well. The awkwardness and uncomfortability from my side are when you are thrown into talks of transformation,” he added.

Bavuma’s axing created a stir on social media and brought back the age-old transformation debate in South African cricket which has plagued the country in the past. Questions were raised whether Bavuma deserves a place in the national side or he was only being picked just to complete the transformation target in country’s apartheid era.

However, the 29-year-old rejected the argument and called for a fair judgment of the ideology of transformation. According to rules, South Africa’s national side has to always field six players of their colour, including two black Africans.

“The one thing that irks me is when you are seen through the eyes of transformation,” he said.

“When you do well, transformation is not spoken about but when you do badly, transformation is thrown at the top of the agenda. I have a serious problem with that. We’ve got to be able to take the good with the bad. If transformation is bad when black African players are not doing well, then when we are doing well, let’s also recognise transformation for what it’s done.”

South Africa will now face England in the second ODI on Friday (February 7) at Kingsmead, Durban.

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news...ate-says-im-black-thats-my-skin-colour-916449
 
Bit of a pocket rocket - but surely better than Asad Shafiq, one would imagine?
What?

Bavuma averages 30.75 in Tests with 1 century in 40 matches.

Shafiq averages 39.03 in Tests with 12 centuries in 73 matches.

Bavuma only has a career because he meets a quota.
 
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