Bavuma joins South Africa’s 4,000-run Test club
TEMBA Bavuma became the 11th South African batter to score 4,000 Test runs on Thursday, reaching the milestone during the third and deciding Test against Australia at Newlands in Cape Town.
The South African captain crossed the mark with his seventh run in the second innings, aged 36 years and 165 days. He is the second-oldest South African to reach the milestone, behind former captain Faf du Plessis, who achieved it at 36 years and 168 days.
Bavuma made 35 off 115 balls before Nathan Lyon bowled him in the closing stages of the third day. He shared a 64-run partnership with Marques Ackerman for the third wicket and added 36 with Matthew Breetzke as South Africa reached 140 for four at stumps, leading by 40 runs.
The landmark came after a difficult first innings in which Bavuma was dismissed for a duck, but his recent form has underlined his value to the Proteas. He struck a career-best 179 in the second Test at St George’s Park, earning Player of the Match honours.
Bavuma has scored 4,028 runs in 68 Tests at an average of 38.36, including five centuries and 26 half-centuries. All five of his Test hundreds have come on home soil.
South Africa will need further contributions from their remaining batters on day four as they seek to build a challenging target and keep their hopes alive in the series.
