When it comes to cricket, I prefer ODIs or T20s. They are shorter and far more entertaining than a drawn out Test match. I understand the importance of Test cricket but watching it can be downright painful. There are bursts of excitement followed by hours of dullness. Thus, I normally just follow whats happening on social media.

I was even apprehensive about doing another cricket post about the second Test against England. I was convinced that day four couldn’t possibly be as great as day two and three. Boy was I wrong!
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This Test has proven to be absolutely exceptional! Not only have we seen some excellent batting from both South Africa and England, history was made at Newlands on day four when Temba Bavuma became the firstever black South African to score a century for the Proteas.

When English all-rounder Ben Stokes racked up 258 runs off 198 balls on day two, South African supporters everywhere cringed. That coupled with his 399-run sixth-wicket partnership with Jonny Bairstow left many of us convinced that it was over.

The Proteas were 488 runs behind at the start of day three and catching up seemed like an uphill battle. But then Hashim Amla (Oh captain! My captain!) pulled out an amazing performance by scoring a double century on day 3, and the #ProteaFire burned brightly once more.

This momentum carried on to day four where the Proteas closed the gap significantly, declaring on 627/7 to England’s 629/6.

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But back to Bavuma. He had a stunning game, and his maiden century is such a significant one. Like with most sport in South Africa, the need for black players, particularly batsmen in cricket has been scarce and a long controversial debate. Bavuma’s maiden century adds much-needed momentum to that debate and shows that there is hope for black batsmen in South African cricket.

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Politics aside, this Test match is one of the greatest Newlands has ever seen. It’s far more fascinating than some of the ODIs and this has made me rethink my stance on Test cricket. I can’t wait to see what happens on the final day. Now the only thing left to say is GO PROTEAS!

UPDATE: The second Test ended in a draw due to bad light and weather conditions.

Photography courtesy Newlands Cricket 

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23 Comments
  • Mildred Solomons
    Mildred Solomons
    January 6, 2016 at 10:12 am

    Yesss, you really made us proud yesterday Temba Bavuma!! (y) (y) well done

  • Reduvan Plaatjies
    Reduvan Plaatjies
    January 6, 2016 at 10:18 am

    Joining me today chani

  • Chantelle Strydom
    Chantelle Strydom
    January 6, 2016 at 10:22 am

    Lol ha aaaah, supernatural all daaahwaaay, wys jou maar net lol 🙂

  • Mervin Pillay
    Mervin Pillay
    January 6, 2016 at 10:27 am

    Well done Temba you have done your country proud.

  • Lynette Bryce
    Lynette Bryce
    January 6, 2016 at 10:32 am

    Well done temba you have done the country proud

  • Reduvan Plaatjies
    Reduvan Plaatjies
    January 6, 2016 at 10:33 am

    Lol yeah I c u

  • Fareed Patel
    Fareed Patel
    January 6, 2016 at 10:42 am

    Well done Bavuma from a gratefull fan

  • Susan Ansley Johnson
    Susan Ansley Johnson
    January 6, 2016 at 11:12 am

    Can you just say South African! As we all are.

  • Thobeka Faith Danster Faith
    Thobeka Faith Danster Faith
    January 6, 2016 at 11:21 am

    Well played well done my boy you shut their big mouth

  • Bryan House
    Bryan House
    January 6, 2016 at 11:44 am

    Probably the shortest Proteas cricket player as well

  • Eddie Adams
    Eddie Adams
    January 6, 2016 at 11:58 am

    Well done there are going to be more to come don’t worry chap.

  • Kulthoom Majeedt
    Kulthoom Majeedt
    January 6, 2016 at 12:45 pm

    Well done Temba,very proud moment

  • Larry Pip Freeman
    Larry Pip Freeman
    January 6, 2016 at 12:48 pm

    South Africans are great at sport!!

  • Danielle Andrea Barnes
    Danielle Andrea Barnes
    January 6, 2016 at 12:51 pm

    then it would not be history made, something to be proud of not hid from

  • Elna McGlenatendolf
    Elna McGlenatendolf
    January 6, 2016 at 2:08 pm

    Amazing how this game changes. Can’t believe how bad it looked for Proteas on sunday. Well done for records achieved.

  • Susan Ansley Johnson
    Susan Ansley Johnson
    January 6, 2016 at 2:25 pm

    It seems to me that a congratulatory note on fabulous cricket would be more to the point.

  • Nicci Knights
    Nicci Knights
    January 6, 2016 at 9:08 pm

    … bless Africa

  • Shahieda Sasman
    Shahieda Sasman
    January 6, 2016 at 9:50 pm

    so y does it have to worded black. cant it be read temba bavuma became …….

  • Alma Wenger
    Alma Wenger
    January 6, 2016 at 9:58 pm

    He is a Marist old boy too 🙂

  • Thabiso T Man Serape
    Thabiso T Man Serape
    January 6, 2016 at 10:02 pm

    That is why racism doesn’t end in S.A,I bet Alviro,Duminy,Gibbs,Amla now they are asking themselves what do they been clasified in South Africa even Habanna at Springbork.Sometimes they are been called blacks sometimes media change it.#SA_mxm

  • George Slade
    George Slade
    January 7, 2016 at 7:59 am

    Amla ? Gibbs? Duminy ?? Rainbow Nation –One shade of White and about 10 of Black —Not a very pretty rainbow !!!

  • Luke Williams
    Luke Williams
    January 7, 2016 at 8:40 am

    Why can’t you have both Susan? He is black, we are proud. End of

  • Susan Ansley Johnson
    Susan Ansley Johnson
    January 7, 2016 at 1:38 pm

    Because we are all the same,colour is irrelevant.

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