Temba Bavuma opens up about SA20 ‘snub’
Proteas captain Temba Bavuma expressed mild disappointment after being unsold for the second consecutive season at the SA20 Player Auction, despite his top ICC batting ranking and consistent performances in red-ball cricket. Photo: Randy Brooks/AFP
Image: Randy Brooks/AFP
Proteas captain Temba Bavuma has opened up about how he felt after being snubbed once again at the Betway SA20 Player Auction last week.
One of the talking points was the fact that Bavuma had gone unsold for the second season in a row.
Bavuma last played a T20 match for the Lions against the Dolphins in Johannesburg in April last year, which was the final of the CSA T20 Challenge. His last T20 International for South Africa was in September 2023 against Australia in Durban.
With his playing opportunities in the shortest format becoming more limited these days, Bavuma said it was not a major shock but there was definitely a hint of disappointment in his response.
Bavuma’s Struggles for Playing Opportunities Despite Top ICC Rankings
“Not surprised. Last year I also went unsold. I was speaking to my missus about it, and I thought even for me, I kind of struggle, if I put it that way, to get playing opportunities,” Bavuma told SportsBoom.co.za.
“In the last couple of years, I’ve thrown my hat into the county circuit as well. And nothing has come about there. I mean, I know that’s a different format."
Bavuma also referenced that he's sixth in the ICC Test batting bakings.
“It’s red-ball cricket. But I think with the performances I’ve put in, especially in that space over the last four to five years, being one of the leading run scorers, not just in the country, internationally, in the top five, top 10 within the ICC rankings. I guess you would think an opportunity would come from that, would come there.
“But not surprised. These opportunities are kind of hard to come by. But yeah, I’m sure it will be fun for the players who will be involved.”