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‘Campaign Not Over…,’ Temba Bavuma Fires SA’s World Cup Warning After Loss To NED

image-lnuno78tTemba Bavuma at the 2023 World Cup (x.com)

South Africa, off the back of five successive 300-plus totals, including two 400s, dusted out at 207 to hand Netherlands an emphatic 38-run win at the 2023 World Cup. Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma and in-form batters Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram among others failed to get going in their run-chase against the likes of Roelof van der Merwe, Paul van Meekeren and Logan van Beek in Dharamsala.

South African bowlers also conceded 32 extras, including 21 wides in a 43-over contest which eventually became one of the primary differences between the two sides at the grand stage.

After the match, captain Bavuma lamented his side’s fielding performance and bowlers’ inability of restricting Netherlands below 200, despite having them on the mat at 112-6 at one stage.

Temba Bavuma fires World Cup 2023 warning after defeat

Temba Bavuma hit out at his bowlers for allowing Netherlands to get to 245-8 from 112-6. The cricketer admitted that his team conceded too many extras in the innings and expressed his disappointment over their fielding effort. Bavuma claimed that the standard of South Africa’s performance on the day was not the same they had against Australia a few days ago in Lucknow. During the post-match presentation, he said:

“I think we had them at 112 for 6. We shouldn't have allowed them to go past 200. We dropped the ball there. Still we were confident with the chase. But they were able to extract some deficiencies in our batting department. We were clinical against Australia. We could have controlled the extras. The fielding wasn't up to the standard. Not the same standard we had against Australia.”

The South African captain also shot a subtle warning despite his side’s shock defeat to Netherlands. The cricketer claimed that their 2023 World Cup campaign is far from over and hailed the Dutchmen for their emphatic performance in Dharamsala.

“We need to have some conversations with the boys. You got to let the emotion to seep in. It will hurt. Our campaign is not over by any stretch of imagination. That was a proper display from them. They put us under pressure throughout. Good luck to them.”

South Africa, after coping their first defeat of the competition, will face defending champions England for their subsequent World Cup 2023 challenge on October 21. Their much-awaited faceoff is slated to be hosted by the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.