After completing his 1,000 runs in his 23rd Test match, the South African batsman Temba Bavuma reveals the visitors have to bat at least four sessions, in a bid to give hard-fight against Joe Root-led England which is in command after taking the second innings lead of 252. (Read Here: England vs South Africa, 3rd Test: James Anderson Lavishes Praise on Debutant Toby Roland-Jones).
“We need to come out tomorrow and find a way to stretch the time out in the match and to possibly give our batsmen four sessions to fight it out,” Bavuma was quoted as saying by South Africa Cricket Magazine.
The 27-year-old Cape Town-born Bavuma, who was the top scorer for his side, in the ongoing Test of four Test series has expressed his side would be aiming to wrap-up the innings of England as early as possible on the morning of the fourth day at Kia Oval while opting to save a Test match which at the moment seems quite a difficult task for the Proteas.
“We would ideally like to bowl them out as cheaply as possible,” Bavuma added.
The right-handed batsman Bavuma was the last man to go, as he registered 52 off 102 deliveries. He smashed eight boundaries, before being caught by Jonny Bairstow which saw Toby Roland-Jones completing his maiden five-wicket haul.
“We have done it before, we know what is needed to do as a line-up and we have the belief that we can bat to save the game,” Bavuma said.
The South African side was struggling to avoid the follow-on when they started off the proceeding on Day 3 after the overnight score of 126 for 8, as they were trailing by 227 runs.
However, Bavuma, who is enjoying the batting with lower-order, posted 47 runs for the ninth wicket alongside Morne Morkel after Faf du Plessis led side was reeling at 114 for 8 at one stage.
“I didn’t see it differently to all the other times I’ve batted. In terms of game plan, I tried to take it ball by ball. We wanted to see how long we could keep them out there,” Bavuma further added.
On the other side, Bavuma, who went on to register his 1000 runs in the five-day format, has expressed his satisfaction while stating he has a lot to prove in the foreseeable future.
“I’m happy to have achieved this milestone. At one point I didn’t think that I would get to this point,” Bavuma further maintained.
Moreover, Bavuma has further vowed to perform during his international career, in order to contribute to his team during the crunch situations of the game, as he is looking forward to cementing his spot in the Test set-up.
“It’s obviously a small step ahead in my career and it will be important for me to continue putting in contributing performances when I get the opportunity,” Bavuma concluded.
As the half-of-the-third day’s play was abandoned due to the rain, hosts batsmen Keaton Jennings was batting on 34 of 61 and Tom Westley remained unbeaten on 28 after facing 38 deliveries, as England posted 74 on board for the loss of Alastair Cook on seven off 29 balls.