Proteas coach Rob Walter has expressed his unwavering support for Temba Bavuma, even though it remains uncertain whether Bavuma will continue as captain of the ODI side.
Bavuma and Walter faced criticism after the Proteas lost to Australia in the World Cup semifinal in Kolkata, with Bavuma playing while not fully fit and being dismissed for a duck.
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Walter defended Temba Bavuma by reminding critics of his contributions that helped the Proteas qualify for the World Cup.
He highlighted Bavuma’s performances against England, Netherlands, and West Indies, which played a significant role in securing their spot in the tournament.
Walter emphasized the importance of small contributions, stating that Bavuma’s ability to step up out of the power play at 60/1 was a crucial part of their game plan.
This allowed other players like Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, and David Miller to make an impact in the later stages of the innings.
While acknowledging the scrutiny on Bavuma’s form during the World Cup, Walter reiterated his support for the opening batter, citing Bavuma’s overall contributions to South African cricket.
He acknowledged that every player goes through slumps in form and urged people to remember Bavuma’s previous performances for the country.
Despite Walter’s backing, Bavuma was uncertain about his future as captain, stating that emotions were running high after the World Cup loss.
He expressed the burden that comes with the captaincy role and admitted that he had not fully prepared himself for it. Bavuma, however, mentioned that if given the opportunity and challenge, he would go for it. He left the decision about his future in the hands of coach Rob Walter.
Bavuma also discussed his evolving relationship with Walter, emphasizing the importance of the captain-coach dynamic. He acknowledged that their relationship was still new, having only gotten to know each other in January.
Bavuma appreciated the excitement and fun that Walter brought to his game, particularly in terms of the brand of cricket they aimed to play.
