“I’m still here and I deserve to be where I am.”
That’s what Themba Babuma meant when he pointed to his name on the back of his South African jersey and celebrated his third century of his ODI while tapping his heart and the Protea badge.
His 109-ball innings from his 102nd innings were criticized by commentators and former captains Sean Pollock and Ashwell his Prince for not only his clean shots and quick goals, but also from situations where 100 balls came in. also described Babooma as the best player ever seen in international cricket.
Bavma said last year that the South African white had an “emotional jet of his coaster” about his position on his team and his ability to score goals fast enough to keep up with modern-day batting trends. was plagued by A painful but valid question.
Since his 110th against India at Pearl last January, Babouma has struck his 33rd international innings in all formats, 50th he pitched four and in single digits he had 15 ejections. I was receiving Among them were two ducks and three against India in his return from an elbow injury that has sidelined him for three months heading into the T20 World Cup, where he eliminated South Africa against the Netherlands. led to He was then snubbed at his SA20 auction and is the only member of the current team not to participate in his T20 tournament Marquee, which has become the biggest party in domestic cricket. Imagine the uninvited, National Whiteball his captain.
“Emotionally, it can be exhausting and exhausting. No matter how much you try to block it, it will affect you,” Bavma said. “It’s the best when it affects the people around you — your family. As a player, I have a way of dealing with that. It’s part of the journey.”
But that doesn’t mean it was easy. “We all go through periods of ups and downs, whether in careers or family life,” Bavma said. “The difference [with professional athletes] is that it’s in everyone’s eyes and everybody wants a part of you. Hide: I have to make a fuss, but that’s impossible, especially since I’m the captain.”
As such, Cricket South Africa provided him with as much rest as possible. When Bavuma returned from his T20 World Cup, a celebratory test against Australia Red in preparation for his series Bavuma, along with Kagiso Rabada, was the only one who didn’t have to play his cricket. . Bavma finished as South Africa’s top batsman in an otherwise disastrous tour, scoring 185 runs at 37.00 in a 2–0 series defeat. Back home from that tour, Bavma took two weeks off to clear his head before the SA20 launched in the series. “Being off-duty, staying home and not playing in the last two weeks also helped me,” he said. “Physically I may not be at my best, but mentally I am at my best. ”
He also entered a new coaching environment (albeit briefly in whiteball cricket).Bavuma has worked with Shukri Conrad nationally. After catching the two in deep dialogue in Bloemfontein, he revealed that Conrad helped him overcome some of his doubts.
“Conversations with Shukri helped,” said Bavma. He said, “I was open to coaches about how I looked at myself and how I felt about everything. He helped clear my head of all the nonsense and set me up for the series. ”
But he doesn’t want to reveal much more. “He just listened to me and acknowledged my feelings. The most important thing is to put the mind in the right state to play the game. Shuksu is not a therapist. enjoyed the honesty and clarity he displayed in his chats.”
Whatever was said, it clearly worked. Bavma showed his intentions in the first game despite scoring only 36 goals. But he made those runs on 28 balls to give South Africa a good start and then made some excellent tactical decisions on the field (such as holding off Sisanda Magala). for the middleover), South Africa took the lead in the series.
Then he brought out a big gun. Mangaun Bavma, who set a new record of 343 at the Oval, was a converted hitter. From the start he beat Quinton de Coc with five fours and six from his first 25 balls, holding his own at 100 and having matching celebrations after overcoming a seizure. “It was very emotional to come to this moment,” he said. “There was no party planned. It was a reminder to myself and everyone that I am still here and deserve to be where I am.”
Bavma says his bold strokes are a mindset aimed at “scoring goals and dominating the bowlers” and focusing on establishing the style of play he’s enjoyed over the years rather than results. I think it’s in the South African approach. a long time. “We have made it clear that we are focused on process and less on results,” said Bavma.
But the result for Bavuma was far more important than he was trying to say. Bavma, a self-proclaimed ‘decisive man’ who tried to ‘do his best’, is clearly hurt by the events of the past year. But he has consistently acted with integrity. Aware of his responsibilities as captain, he had stated prior to this series that he was willing to stay as long as he wished, but would resign if necessary.
For them he had this message:
“I’m sure others are going through what I went through. We have to find a way to move on. Please do not give up. continue. “