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 what’s 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!
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 first–ever 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.
Man alive that was a great ton by the little fella! These kids were going NUTS! Welcome back Temba! @tbavuma10 pic.twitter.com/MWUI6c2Lnk
— Sunfoil Cricket (@SunfoilCricket) January 5, 2016
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.
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.
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
Yesss, you really made us proud yesterday Temba Bavuma!! (y) (y) well done
Joining me today chani
Lol ha aaaah, supernatural all daaahwaaay, wys jou maar net lol 🙂
Well done Temba you have done your country proud.
Well done temba you have done the country proud
Lol yeah I c u
Well done Bavuma from a gratefull fan
Can you just say South African! As we all are.
Well played well done my boy you shut their big mouth
Probably the shortest Proteas cricket player as well
Well done there are going to be more to come don’t worry chap.
Well done Temba,very proud moment
South Africans are great at sport!!
then it would not be history made, something to be proud of not hid from
Amazing how this game changes. Can’t believe how bad it looked for Proteas on sunday. Well done for records achieved.
It seems to me that a congratulatory note on fabulous cricket would be more to the point.
… bless Africa
so y does it have to worded black. cant it be read temba bavuma became …….
He is a Marist old boy too 🙂
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
Amla ? Gibbs? Duminy ?? Rainbow Nation –One shade of White and about 10 of Black —Not a very pretty rainbow !!!
Why can’t you have both Susan? He is black, we are proud. End of
Because we are all the same,colour is irrelevant.