Can Bavuma Holding the Mace Revive Test Cricket in South Africa?

New Delhi, June 14 (NationPress) Graeme Smith, the former captain of South Africa and a newly inducted member of the ICC Hall of Fame, has paid tribute to a Proteas team that is on the verge of winning their first ICC men’s trophy in 27 years. He commended the determination and spirit exhibited by the team, especially captain Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram, during the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at Lord's.

In an appearance on ICC Digital Daily after Day 3, Smith articulated the importance of the moment: “Temba holding the mace and what that will mean for the people back home - I think this will really lift the game again in South Africa.”

By the end of Day 3, South Africa was just 69 runs away from victory, having reached 213/2 thanks to a remarkable, unbeaten partnership of 143 runs between Markram (102*) and Bavuma (65*), who played through a hamstring injury.

Smith expressed admiration for the team’s resilience, noting their comeback from a 75-run deficit in the first innings: “We’ve seen such ups and downs, ebbs and flows in this Test match. South Africa fought back, bowled well, and got themselves back in the game. What an innings from Aiden Markram, and a partnership as well with Temba Bavuma.”

Focusing on Bavuma’s determination, Smith remarked: “We mustn’t underestimate that he’s fought through a sore hamstring, really putting his country first and building that partnership. He’s been South Africa’s most consistent batter, and he’s looked in control throughout.”

Markram also received special recognition, particularly after his first-innings duck. “I actually picked him at the start of this innings. If South Africa are going to do this, he’s the man. He scores freely and keeps the scoreboard ticking. The punch off the back foot early on - right then you knew, the man’s here today.”

Smith also commented on the tactical strategies employed by the Australians: “I think the attack did everything they could. Maybe Lyon could have bowled wider into the rough. Cummins had quite a defensive field at times, especially with Bavuma’s injury - they maybe needed to force the play more when 150 were still needed.”

Nevertheless, Smith praised the South African batters, stating: “You have to give credit to the South Africans. I don’t want to take away from their performance. Today, with Aiden and Temba in particular, was outstanding.”

Having once captained the national team during challenging times, Smith recognized the progress made: “We’ve fought extremely hard over the last two to three years to build South African cricket up again. Everyone wrote South Africa off before this game. Now they sit on the brink of beating a great Australian team in a final.”

As Day 4 approaches, with history at stake, Smith’s sentiments resonate with the entire nation: “It’s important to celebrate a great partnership and an incredible hundred. They still have 69 to get—but what they’ve done already deserves massive respect.”