Bavuma chases Cummins as Proteas aim to take the next step

While there are several traits that differ, Temba Bavuma and Pat Cummins share aspects about their starts as captain, notably the need to restore the reputation of their respective sides. 

Cummins has been in the job as a Test captain two years longer than Bavuma, and has led his team 33 times, compared to his Proteas counterpart who has done so nine times. But when he started, Australia was still struggling to regain its reputation after the sandpaper affair. 

Bavuma’s own journey as skipper began with the Proteas trying to get a foothold after administrative chaos in Cricket SA’s boardroom had sullied South Africa’s image internationally, and even more acutely at home. 

Although he was made limited-overs captain in 2021, inconsistent output with the bat meant Bavuma was often subject to harsh scrutiny. His Test form was better, and he’s flourished since Shukri Conrad was made head coach, and Bavuma captain in the five-day format. 

As much as he’s improved his 50-over game, Bavuma has always been better suited to the longer version, and it’s with the Test team that he has played a primary role in helping to restore the reputation of South African cricket at home and abroad. 

Bavuma has battled to be accepted in a country where the racial divide runs deep, with sections of the population openly supporting the current occupant of the White House and even judges unable to refrain from invoking stereotypes. 

But while others sought to find faults — whether due to his technique, race or stature — Bavuma made runs.

Last summer was arguably his best season with the bat since making his debut in 2014. He averaged 72.00 in four home Tests, scoring two centuries and three fifties. His open relationship with Conrad has liberated Bavuma and given him more say in off-field decisions such as when players take breaks. 

Bavuma’s maturity was on display in the manner that he’s offered to support Kagiso Rabada, a close friend and SA’s most important bowler, who has been through a difficult few months after testing positive for cocaine.

Rather than mollycoddle Rabada, Bavuma has made it clear that the fast bowler must take responsibility for his actions and deal with the criticism — and sledging from opponents — that he will face. 

The Proteas captain demands excellence from himself and teammates, but the example he’s set with the bat has also proved inspirational for players like Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs, with whom he shared big and important partnerships last summer.

For South Africans watching from afar, it might seem Cummins has had it easier compared to Bavuma. But that isn’t the case, largely because of the status the Australian captaincy holds in that country. It’s often said that only the prime minister is more scrutinised Down Under.

While still dealing with the fallout from “sandpaper gate”, Australian cricket suffered further harm to its prestige in 2021 when then captain Tim Paine resigned from the position after sending inappropriate pictures to a female co-worker.

Cummins assumed the captaincy thereafter and was tasked with creating a better balance between Australia’s natural aggressive tendency, and the understanding that some of the thuggish parts — which saw opponents like Faf du Plessis refer to them as “a pack of dogs” — had to disappear. 

Cummins has also copped his fair share of criticism from the Australian “manosphere” which is less enamoured with his family-man persona coupled with a caring for the environment and his support for green causes. His model looks also don’t fit the rugged hard image Australians have historically preferred in their captain, but his performances on the field, both tactically and physically, have silenced the louts.

Their success in winning the 2023 World Cup, along with victory in the 2023 World Test Championship, has reestablished Australia as the sport’s best team.

It is one aspect that Bavuma would love to share with his Australian counterpart. South Africa has made incremental improvements in the last 18 months; reaching an ICC T20 World Cup final was one, and qualifying for the WTC final was another.

Those are significant achievements. But Cummins and Australians have risen from their own nadir, and gone back to becoming champions — and Bavuma needs to match that by winning at Lord’s.