Proteas win completes magnificent SA sporting weekend
Protea's players Simon Harmer, Aiden Markram and Keshav Maharaj celebrate the wicket of India's Kuldeep Yadav during the third day of the first Test cricket match between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata yesterday.
Image: AFP
TEMBA Bavuma’s world Test champion Proteas completed the treble for South Africa’s major national sporting teams with their victory over rivals India on Sunday.
Following the Springboks’ courageous 32-14 victory over Italy and Bafana Bafana’s 3-1 win over Zambia, the Proteas rewrote the record books in India with a 30-run triumph over their hosts at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Bavuma was critical to the Proteas’ first win in India for 15 years, scoring a magnificent unbeaten 55 in the second innings. It was the highest score by any batter across both teams during the Test and enabled the Proteas to set India a 124-run target.
From there, Bavuma manoeuvred his bowlers expertly during India’s run-chase and also made the crucial decision to bring back left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj into the attack with the game in the balance.
Maharaj claimed the final two Indian wickets with successive deliveries, which included a magnificent running catch from Bavuma. The Proteas’ first win in India since 2010 silenced the mighty Eden Gardens crowd.
“Very exciting. We want to be a part of these games and be on the right side of the result. It was tough for us and we needed the bowlers to bring us back in. We were able to change our bowlers frequently, and that worked for us. Our bowlers, as and when they were called, brought us in,” Bavuma said.
The Proteas had not won in India since 2010 and in Kolkata since 1996. Bavuma said it was particularly special to silence 40 000 fans supporting India.
“Obviously, the crowd cheers quite loudly when India has done something good,” he said. “But I think it gives you energy, you know, it keeps you connected in the game.
“In terms of the energy from the spectators, as much as it spurs on the Indian team, it also has a positive influence on us as well.”
The Proteas will now travel to Guwahati for the second Test in the hope of winning their first series in India since 2000, when the late Hansie Cronje led his team to victory.
Cape Times