AUS vs SA: Temba Bavuma admits Test team’s ‘inexperience’ has been problem

• South Africa lost three-match series to Australia at MCG.
• Bavuma is yet to register a three-figure score in Tests since January 2016.
• Bavuma is determined to score big hundreds against Australia’s bowlers.

Temba Bavuma, a middle-order batsman for South Africa, acknowledged that the “inexperience” in the Test lineup was one of the causes of their recent troubles in the format, which led to them losing a three-match series to Australia.

For the first time since 2005/06, South Africa lost a Test series there after being destroyed by an aggressive Australian team on Boxing Day at the MCG by an innings and 182 runs. Additionally, South Africa has lost two Test series in a row after losing 1-2 to England in August-September.

Domestic cricket in South Africa has also been reorganised, meaning players will now only play seven first-class matches as opposed to 10 in the previous format. Bavuma, though, choose to remain silent about it.

“People have said that our domestic system at home does not adequately prepare men for this level, and I have heard these concerns. The men in the room, the less seasoned men, will no doubt recognise that this is a significant leap. Franchise cricket and international cricket are very different.

I really can’t criticise our system from here. I won’t respond to that with a harsh response because I’m a part of that system too. But what’s truly apparent is the group’s lack of experience ” Bavuma

Lack of significant runs from South Africa’s batting lineup has been a major factor in their Test failures; Bavuma has yet to score in the three-figure range after scoring his first century in the format in January 2016. During the Sydney Test, which begins on January 4, the batter is determined to turn the tide.

“The 1960s, 1970s, or, I suppose, they’re okay at that time, but in the grand scale of things, they don’t affect how the game turns out. In my Test career, I have undoubtedly done that, and I would really like to change that—not just for the team, but also for myself “said he.

The team needs two players to go out and get big hundreds in order for the bowlers to have something to rally around, he continued.

In addition, Bavuma acknowledged that South Africa’s batters haven’t adjusted well to the challenges they’ve experienced in tests this year.

“The discussion of the circumstances consists of restating the obvious. The side that adjusts to such conditions the best will prevail “said Bavuma.

“Simply put, we haven’t done that. It’s a problem with us simply not adapting. As a batting group, we must be brutally honest: we simply haven’t been good enough “Finally, he said.

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