Top 3 Test Innings Of Temba Bavuma

image-lqovahbkTemba Bavuma became the first black cricketer to score a Test ton for South Africa [X.com]

A player, who has ushered in a new era of cricketers in South Africa is current Test captain Temba Bavuma. Bavuma's career has seen several ups and downs, which has been due to both on-field and off-the-ground issues.

However, Bavuma, who is the first-ever black African batter to play Test cricket for South Africa, has evolved as a reliable middle-order batter, who displays sound technique, and equally fierce zeal to shut critics with his bat. 

In 56 Tests, the 33-year-old has amassed 2,997 runs with two hundred and 20 half-centuries between 2014 and 2023, having shared the dressing with former greats and learning from the very best. 

In this article, we list down Bavuma's Top Three Test innings that have left a massive mark on South Africa's rich history. 


102* vs England, 2016

image-lqovbwd2Temba Bavuma celebrates his maiden Test ton [X.com]

Fairly new in the Test arena, Bavuma played an in-form England side at Cape Town and slammed his maiden red-ball century.

With England scoring 629 in their first innings, South Africa produced an equally stellar batting show, with skipper Hashim Amla leading from the front. Bavuma came out to bat, with the hosts still trailing by 190 runs, with all established batters back in the hut.

Bavuma displayed impressive play on the backfoot looting English bowlers for plenty with the pull and cut shots. The short-heightened batter stitched a 167-run stand with Chris Morris, who scored an enterprising 69, while Bavuma scored 89.

Bavuma soon, created history becoming the first black African batter to slam a Test ton, which came off 141 balls. The batter remained unbeaten on 102* as South Africa declared their innings on 627 for 7. 

Match Drawn

95* vs Australia, 2018

image-lqoxeks1Temba Bavuma scored a match-changing 95* [X.com]

After a solid start, South Africa suffered a mild collapse against Australia in the first innings of the Johannesburg Test in 2018, which witnessed Temba Bavuma, once again, play a match-defying innings. 

Bavuma came out to bat with the Proteas 247 for four and played a crucial role in stabilising the innings with a 52-run stand with Ab de Villiers. Post de Villiers' wicket, Bavuma exhibited the art of batting with lower-order, which had become a constant feature.

The batter added 85 runs and then 76 with Quinton de Kock and Keshav Maharaj, respectively.  Bavuma's remained unbeaten on 95*, which came off 194 balls laced with 13 fours as South Africa's innings folded for 488. 

South Africa won by 492 runs

172 vs West Indies, 2023

image-lqoxv3dd172 is Temba Bavuma's highest Test score [X.com]

With the rejig in South African cricket, Bavuma's rein as Test skipper started in a two-Test series against visiting West Indies. In the second Test, Bavuma stood up for his side in the second innings as other batters around him faulted.

With a 77-run lead, Bavuma came out to bat with South Africa two down for 8 and soon became four down with only 69 runs on the scoreboard. 

The skipper produced a stellar knock as the remaining batter chipped in with small but sizeable contributions. Bavuma held up one end of the fort, and kept South Africa's innings afloat, scoring his second Test century in 192 balls.

The top-order batter added 100 runs with Wiaan Mulder who scored 42. The captain soon reached his first 150 in red-ball cricket and ended up registering his highest-ever individual score in the Test, scoring 172 off 280 balls, with the help of 20 fours. 

South Africa won by 284 runs