adminCape Town — Hashim Amla has heaped praise on teammate Temba Bavuma after the latter’s maiden Test century against against England at Newlands this week.
Bavuma’s unbeaten 102 in the drawn second Test saw him become the first black African player to score a Test century for South Africa.
Several pundits have questioned the merits of the diminutive Bavuma’s inclusion on the national team, but according to Amla — who relinquished the Test captaincy after the Newlands Test — that is normal in South Africa.
“Obviously personally, I know the pressure, what players of colour go through when they first come into the set-up — certainly in our country,” Amla told IOL Sport.
“So, it was emotional for a lot of us. I think a lot of us felt that like it was a victory for the Proteas in the sense that the team environment is in a very good space.
“We both have very similar careers — the first time we do play international cricket, everyone doubts you. Either because of the colour of your skin, even though you’ve got the stats to back it up domestically, everybody doubts you for various reasons.”
Following his century, Bavuma’s Test average has soared to 35.28 after seven Tests. He has scored 247 runs in eight Test innings to date.
England currently lead the four-game series 1-0, with Tests in Johannesburg (January 14-18) and Centurion (January 22-26) remaining. — Sport24.
derick.khumalo