Bavuma: one of SA’s rare ethnic cricketers

24-year-old to make first Test appearance for Proteas against Windies

PORT ELIZABETH: Temba Bavuma could become only the sixth ethnic black African to play Test cricket for South Africa when the second Test against the West Indies starts at St George's Park on Thursday. 

Bavuma, 24, is next in line if South Africa continue a policy of seven batsmen and four specialist bowlers.

A vacancy for another batsman was created by an injury to wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock which led to AB de Villiers keeping wicket in Centurion, a role which he is set to continue.

In almost 23 years of Test cricket since a united cricket board was admitted to the International Cricket Council in 1991, cricket officials have been embarrassed by the scarcity of Test-quality players from South Africa's largest racial group.

Fast-bowler Makhaya Ntini, who took 390 wickets in 101 Tests, is the only black African to have held down a long-term place in the Test team.

At its annual meeting earlier this year, Cricket South Africa identified racial transformation as a high priority and all franchise teams were required to field at least two black Africans in all games.

Bavuma and fellow black African, fast-bowler Kagiso Rabada, were included in the South African squad for the three-match series, largely in order to gain experience.

Neither was expected to play but while Rabada was released to play for his franchise during the first Test, Bavuma was kept on, effectively as 13th man.

He fielded throughout both West Indian innings, held two catches and impressed with his liveliness around the field.

 

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