![]() “His most memorable innings – he scored a hundred against England in Cape Town. In January, 2016, he became the first Black South African to score a Test century. And I ask him one day about this new young Black cricketer, and all he said to me was, ‘I’ve coached scores and scores of top provincial cricketers, I’ve never known a provincial cricketer who wanted to practice every day of his life.’ He was determined he worked hard, and he wanted to aspire to the top.”īavuma's batting performances have marginally dipped as captain in both T20Is and ODIs. Geoffrey became coach of Gauteng cricket. “Toyana’s father, in the 1980s, was one of the people who helped me to start Black cricket programmes in townships. Equally important,” Bacher tells Sportstar.īacher recalls what coach Geoffrey Toyana said about Bavuma when the batsman played under him in the Gauteng team. He’s as significant to South African cricket as Frank Worrell was to West Indies. Both players were recently cleared of racism charges.įormer captain and administrator Ali Bacher, a man central to preserving the health of South African cricket through the 1980s and 1990s, recognises how important Bavuma is to South Africa. Former players, including Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher, underwent investigations to determine whether they practised any racism during their playing days. Boeta Dippenaar and Pat Symcox disagreed with bowler Lungi Ngidi’s comments on the Black Lives Matter movement, while former bowler Makhaya Ntini revealed he was treated differently when he was a player. ![]() In the aftermath of the global anti-racism movement in 2020, South Africa, despite the abolition of Apartheid and steps taken by its government to emancipate people of colour, revealed that its transformation was far from complete, even in the hearts and minds of its people. He was appointed as captain during difficult times. The race barriers in wider society aren’t as strong in the 21st century, but Bavuma, too, has a huge responsibility on his shoulders as the captain of his national team. Moreover, Worrell was a statesman of sorts for his impeccable behaviour, poise and elegance, living up to the immense scrutiny for a Black man appointed to an important role which until then was reserved only for whites. Worrell and Headley were excellent cricketers. Yet it took 61 more years for South Africa to break the barrier in cricket. George Headley, the ‘Black Bradman’, was the first Black man to captain the West Indies in January, 1948, while Frank Worrell was the first to be handed that role on a permanent basis in 1960. South Africa play Victoria in a day-night one-dayer at the MCG on Saturday, using a pink ball to prepare for the third Test in Adelaide.When Temba Bavuma was appointed captain of the South African cricket team in March, 2021, albeit in only the white-ball formats, it was a significant moment in sport. “To a lot of people, it’s sounding more like sour sweets.” “I’ve had sweets in my mouth, bubblegum in my mouth, butong, nuts – I’m not sure what the big deal is. “Is it proven or what? Because that’s something that is really new to us,” Amla said. there was no malicious intent whatsoever.”Īs officials tried to change the topic, Amla and some journalists had a testy exchange about the subject. ![]() “We’re standing out on the field for two hours. “I chew bubblegum while I’m on the field – you want me to brush my teeth after lunch? ![]() “Whether it is or not, we’ve done nothing wrong and I know Faf has done absolutely nothing wrong,” he said. It was then put to Amla the ICC was investigating his captain. “As a team, we’re standing strong, we’ve done nothing wrong. “It’s not April, but the allegation against Faf was. we thought was actually a joke,” Amla said. “The reason everyone is here is to stand together, really, and to show solidarity to something. Match referee David Boon said at the time he was satisfied it wasn’t a deliberate attempt to manipulate the ball’s condition.Įarlier on Friday afternoon, Amla spoke to the media at the MCG with teammates standing behind him in a show of support for du Plessis. Three years ago, du Plessis was fined 50% of his match payment when he rubbed the ball on the zipper of a trouser pocket. ![]()
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