Little Giant Bavuma Stands Tall At Eden

Tiny Temba Bavuma played a giant’s hand in keeping South Africa in the hunt at the bowlers’ paradise that Kolkata’s Eden Gardens turned out to be. His seventh half century in his last 11 innings was another valuable contribution to a team that he led to an unlikely victory in the World Test Championship last summer at Lord’s over defending champions Australia. His gritty presence at the crease even brought out a rare curse from the lips of India’s gigantic performer with the ball, Jasprit Bumrah. A taunt over Bavuma’s dwarfish physique was not in order, but it might have escaped attention of the match authorities as it might have been lost in translation. What it signified was what a gutsy performer the pocket-sized batsman is and how he outlasted everyone to make the highest individual scores in very tough batting conditions. The sporting crowd at the Eden Gardens stood up to a man to celebrate Bavuma’s half century. Without the advantage of height or power, the Cape Town born battler has built his game around patience and solid defensive technique and is nearing the 4000-run mark in Tests. The first black African batsman to be picked to play Tests for South Africa has more than justified his place in the rainbow nation’s team. His stature in South African cricket is a tribute to the spirit of man that shone through regardless of race or colour.