Bavuma says Sri Lanka performance has strengthened belief in himself

By Ayanda Nyuswa

Proteas men’s test captain Temba Bavumas says his performances with the bat in the test series against Sri Lanka have strenghten his belief and confidence as a player. The South African skipper was the stand out performer with bat in hand, as he helped the Proteas to wrap up a 2-0 series win over Sri Lanka, and ascend to the top of the World Test championship standings. South Africa outfoxed Sri Lanka to win the second test by 109 runs at St. George’s Park in Gqeberha, in what was a much tougher affair after easing to a 233 run victory in the opening test a week earlier Durban. 

Bavuma scored four consecutive half centuries in the series, including a best score of 113 (228) in the first test at Kingsmead Stadium, to walk away with the player of the series award. In total, he tallied up 327 runs at an average of 81.75, to finish as the top run scorer in the series. It was a magnificent come back performance for Bavuma, who returned to action after nursing an elbow injury that kept him out of the Proteas series win over Bangladesh.

“I think it probably just strengthen the belief that I have in myself as a player,” said Bavuma speaking to the media after the second test. “I think if I look at coming into the series from a preparations point of view a lot different to what I have been accustomed to, not being able to do a lot of skill work but working more on the mental side and just trusting, from a skill and ability point of view that that is still there. 

“There was a lot of hunger and desire from my side to put in winning performances for the team, and fortunately the opportunity was there throughout the series and I was able to make use of it. I think for me it is just strengthened belief in myself and probably among the team as well. You know there will be a lot more confidence and belief, not that it wasn’t there.”