South Africa name Bavuma as first Black African Test captain

Dean Elgar was fired as captain, but he is still a part of the team that plays the West Indies in the first game of a series on February 28.

Another casualty of the reorganization was chief selector Victor Mpitsang, whose CSA stated that he had been “released” from the position.

When Bavuma led the one-day international and Twenty20 international teams in March 2021, he became the first black African to captain South Africa in cricket.

Elgar was made captain of the Test team at the same time.

Elgar’s time as captain got off to a good start with victories in the Test series against Bangladesh, India, and West Indies, as well as a shared series against New Zealand, the world champions.

However, they suffered significant defeats in their two most recent series against Australia and England.

Bavuma, on the other hand, was criticized for his poor batting performance in Twenty20 international matches, particularly during the T20 World Cup in Australia last year.

Bavuma will no longer serve as captain of the T20 side, but he will continue to captain the one-day team, according to the statement from Friday.

Enoch Nkwe, the director of cricket for the CSA, made the announcements, stating that it had been decided to review the selection process. Mpitsang was let go from his position.

The new national team coaches, Shukri Conrad (Test) and Rob Walter (limited overs), will take the lead in the selection process as a temporary measure.

Nkwe stated, “Temba is a player who has vast captaincy experience both domestically and internationally.”

“We have faith that he will meet all of our expectations and assist in moving the team forward after Dean, his predecessor, did an excellent job during the same time period.

“At the same time, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dean for his unwavering dedication to the position over the past two years.

He placed the team in a favorable position on the ICC World Test Championship table and assisted the team in navigating some turbulent waters.

For the two Tests against West Indies, Nkwe selected a team of fifteen players.

Batsmen Sarel Erwee, Rassie van der Dussen, and Khaya Zondo, wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne, fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne have all been dropped from the losing series in Australia in December and January, and Theunis de Bruyn has retired.

Tony de Zorzi, who has never played for the team before, is likely to start as the opening batsman, and Keegan Petersen and Ryan Rickelton will play again after missing the tour of Australia because of injuries.

Both batsman Aiden Markram and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, as well as spinner Senuran Muthusamy, whose only two Tests were played in India in 2019, are included in the roster.

Mpitsang was criticized for saying that he was left out because of concerns about an ankle injury despite the player saying he was fit. Mpitsang also scored a lot in domestic cricket while the Australia tour was going on.

Five players who were a part of the team’s heavy series loss to Australia were dropped, and chief selector Victor Mpitsang was fired.

Following the official announcement, a press conference made it abundantly clear that the new coach, Shukri Conrad, had been given extensive authority.

We felt the need for a new course of action. In his explanation of Mpitsang’s “release” as part of an ongoing review of selection procedures, Cricket South Africa director of cricket Enoch Nkwe stated, “I have always believed coaches should have a big say.”

Conrad made it abundantly clear that injuries or unavailability had nothing to do with the elimination from the Australia series.

He stated, “We had a full complement to choose from.”

While Theunis de Bruyn has retired, five players who played in Australia in December and January were dropped: batsmen Sarel Erwee, Rassie van der Dussen, and Khaya Zondo, wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne, and fast bowler Lungi Ngidi.

According to Nkwe, the decision not to select Ngidi was based on the belief that Gerald Coetzee, a 22-year-old fast bowler, was ready to play in a Test match.

‘Unleash Gerald’ He declared, “Now is the time to unleash Gerald.”

Since March 2021, Bavuma has led the South African one-day and Twenty20 international teams.

At the same time, Elgar started serving as captain. He led the team to victories in the Test series against Bangladesh, India, and the West Indies, as well as a draw in the away series against New Zealand.

However, they were significantly defeated in series against Australia and England.

Bavuma, on the other hand, was criticized for his poor batting performance in Twenty20 international matches, particularly during the T20 World Cup in Australia last year.

Bavuma will no longer serve as captain of the T20 side, but he will continue to captain the one-day team.

There have been two black Test captains in South Africa’s history—Ashwell Prince and Hashim Amla—but in a race-conscious nation, politicians, including, there is a distinction between “generic black” and “black African.”

For the two Tests against West Indies, Nkwe selected a team of fifteen players.

Keegan Petersen and Ryan Rickelton return after missing the tour of Australia due to injury. Tony de Zorzi, a player with no previous experience, is likely to make his debut as an opening batsman, and Coetzee will make his debut as a fast bowler.

Both batsman Aiden Markram and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, as well as spinner Senuran Muthusamy, whose only two Tests were played in India in 2019, are included in the roster.

Conrad declared, “I’m old-fashioned.” I want to add more all-rounders because I want seven batters.

Nkwe cited Bavuma’s “vast captaincy experience both at domestic level and on the international stage” in a statement announcing the team.

Elgar was thanked by him for his efforts.

Nkwe stated, “He helped the team navigate through some turbulent waters and put them in good position on the table for the ICC World Test Championship.”

Team South Africa:
Temba Bavuma, who serves as captain, is joined by Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Keegan Petersen, Kagiso Rabada, and Ryan Rickelton.