Temba Bavuma Still has a Couple of Years Left in him, says Vernon Philander

New Delhi: Former South Africa fast bowler Vernon Philander has backed Temba Bavuma to continue leading South Africa in ODIs, saying that the right-handed batter still has a couple of years left in him to be at the helm.

Philander’s comments come after South Africa lost their 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final to New Zealand by 50 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium. South Africa were tasked with chasing down 363, and despite Bavuma’s 56, Rassie van der Dussen’s 69 and David Miller’s unbeaten hundred off 67 balls, they eventually made 312/9.

“I think he’s a fantastic leader. I think what he has done over the last 24 months is that he has started to win that change room over. I think he’s done phenomenally well in the Test match arena (where they will play the 2025 championship final) and I don’t think we play near enough ODI cricket to play judgement down on it.

“But if you look at his numbers, you look at his records in ODI cricket, I think he has been a wonderful player for South Africa. I think he has led from the front with the bat. Of course, that evening he just couldn’t get going, but they were heavily reliant on his form to get South Africa to where they are after this evening - obviously falling one hurdle short of another final.

“But I wouldn’t make a call too early. It’s still early days. I think Temba still has a couple of years left in him. I just think Cricket South Africa will need to have an overall look at the way they approach, the way they prepare (for ICC tournaments).”

He also expressed surprise over South Africa playing just one specialist spinner in Keshav Maharaj, adding that left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi could have been a more useful than a fourth seamer on a flat pitch in Lahore. IANS

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