3 Highest Scores By Temba Bavuma In Test Cricket

Temba Bavuma has two hundreds in Test Cricket (Source:@ProteasMenCSA/X.com)Temba Bavuma has two hundreds in Test Cricket (Source:@ProteasMenCSA/X.com)

Temba Bavuma is the first Black batter to play Test cricket for South Africa. He has been always highly rated and has captained his country across formats. He has ann excellent record in ODIs, while his Test record is also decent. In the 59 Tests, he has scored 3102 runs at an average of 35.25 with two centuries and 21 fifties.

However, he has scored many crucial knocks under pressure in tough conditions and it is hard to choose the best innings among them. However, his top three knocks in terms of runs have also come on spicy wickets in South Africa and let's now dive deeper into them.

3. 95* Against Australia in Johannesburg, 30th March 2018

His third best knocks in terms of runs came in the 2018 Test between South Africa and Australia at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. The Proteas batted first and Aiden Markram slammed 152 while AB de Villiers scored 69 at number four. However, it was Temba Bavuma's unbeaten knock of 95 of 194 balls that stole the show as the right-handed batter displayed great composure while batting with the tailenders and made sure that South Africa did not throw away their good start. 

The Proteas posted 488 on the board, and Bavuma played a fluent knock with 13 fours. Australia could only muster 221 runs in their first innings and in the second innings too, Bavukma stayed unbeaten on 35 as South Africa declared their innings on 344. Australia were bowled out for just 119 in their second outing too as the home team won the game bny 488 runs.

2. 102 Against England In Cape Town, 2nd January 2016 

Temba Bavuma's second-highest score and first century in Test cricket came against England in Cape Town back in 2016. It was just his seventh Test and Bavuma made full use of good batting conditions. 

England posted a massive first innings total of 629 and South Africa needed to bat well to keep themselves in the game. Hashim Amla hit double century and then young Temba Bavuma coming in at number six hit 102 off just 148 balls. He was unbeaten in that knock, and it was the innings that really helped Bavuma cement his place in the side. He also displayed amazing skills to keep his concentration going, despite wickets falling at the other end and though the match ended in a draw, Bavuma's knock was praised from all corners.

1. 172 vs WI, Johannesburg, 8th March 2023

Temba Bavuma's highest score in Test cricket is 172 and it came against West Indies in March 2023. The Bull Ring was the venue, and on a spicy pitch where rest of the batters struggled, especially as the game went on, Temba Bavuma hit a brilliant knock of 172 in 280 balls. In the first innings, South Africa scored 320 while West Indies could muster 251 runs. 

South Africa were still not out of danger as the wicket was misbehaving, but where other batters could not get a score of over 50,  Bavuma played a stunning knock that took South Africa to 321 runs. West Indies were cleaned up for 106 and Bavuma was adjudged player of the match as Proteas registered a comprehensive win by 284 runs.