Cape Town: South Africa Captain Temba Bavuma He is expected to be fit to lead the team in the Twenty20 World Cup to be held in the United Arab Emirates as he is recovering from a thumb injury.
The top-order batsman admitted he is not 100 per cent fit but believes he will be ready for South Africa’s first match against Australia on 23 October.
“I started batting a little bit yesterday, just to feel it,” Bavuma told reporters on Sunday. “According to the medical team, everything is still on time. I am quite happy with where I am. Everyone is happy with the progress so far.”
Bavuma will be the first black African captain for South Africa in the World Cup.
He admits that there is a mix of anxiety and enthusiasm among players, especially given the team’s past failures in major tournaments, which have earned them the “Bran” tag and a reputation for not being able to pull off big moments.
“Given the situation I am in, I accept responsibility when I leave the South African shores,” he said.
“And the thinking that when you come back to South Africa, things might be different. Your life might be different.
“From a team standpoint, it’s the excitement and the anxiety of experiencing something that you haven’t seen. But I think it’s more excitement at the moment.
“I don’t say much about being a Black African but it’s quite important from all angles. Thinking about it, it adds to the pressure that is already there.
“But it is also a privilege that I believe I have had this privilege. If there is an opportunity, and the team plays accordingly, we would like to do something special for the country.”
The top-order batsman admitted he is not 100 per cent fit but believes he will be ready for South Africa’s first match against Australia on 23 October.
“I started batting a little bit yesterday, just to feel it,” Bavuma told reporters on Sunday. “According to the medical team, everything is still on time. I am quite happy with where I am. Everyone is happy with the progress so far.”
Bavuma will be the first black African captain for South Africa in the World Cup.
He admits that there is a mix of anxiety and enthusiasm among players, especially given the team’s past failures in major tournaments, which have earned them the “Bran” tag and a reputation for not being able to pull off big moments.
“Given the situation I am in, I accept responsibility when I leave the South African shores,” he said.
“And the thinking that when you come back to South Africa, things might be different. Your life might be different.
“From a team standpoint, it’s the excitement and the anxiety of experiencing something that you haven’t seen. But I think it’s more excitement at the moment.
“I don’t say much about being a Black African but it’s quite important from all angles. Thinking about it, it adds to the pressure that is already there.
“But it is also a privilege that I believe I have had this privilege. If there is an opportunity, and the team plays accordingly, we would like to do something special for the country.”
.