"Stubbo, please get me on strike" - Temba Bavuma reveals chat with Tristan Stubbs when nearing his hundred on Day 3 of SA vs SL 2024 Test
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma recently said he would try to get to his century as soon as he reaches 80s and 90s, given his nervousness. The 34-year-old revealed requesting Tristan Stubbs on Day 3 of the ongoing first Test against Sri Lanka in Durban to get him on strike as soon as possible to reach the landmark.
Bavuma reached his third Test ton in an anti-climactic fashion as he played a paddle sweep against Prabath Jayasuriya, causing Sri Lanka to appeal and eventually take the DRS. However, replays showed that the Proteas skipper had some bat on it, as he completed his century.
Speaking at a presser after Day 3, here's what the right-hander said, as quoted by Cricbuzz:
"I'm not too good when I get to the 80s and 90s. I'm going to try and get to a hundred as soon as I can. My intent didn't change. I was always looking to score. That became high-risk with the new ball. but I tried to stay to that approach as much as I could."
"Getting to the three-figure mark was nerve-wracking. When I was at 97, facing [Jayasuriya], I got one off the first ball, and then the next two balls, Tristan blocked them. I went over to him and I said, 'Stubbo, please get me on strike; I can't wait at this end,'" he added.
The veteran starred in the first innings with a crucial 70 that drove South Africa to 191 and eventually helped them with a 149-run lead since Sri Lanka were bundled out for 42. Bavuma later shared a 249-run stand with Stubbs to set Sri Lanka an improbable 516 for victory.
"Hundreds are our currency as batters" - Temba Bavuma
The 34-year-old believes Test hundreds are rare to come by and took pride in scoring one in Durban, adding in the same press conference:
"Hundreds are our currency as batters. From a mental point of view, I'm starting to find a formula for how you can go about not just scoring 50s and 60s, but putting the team in a very strong position. It's always nice scoring a hundred; that's what we aim to do. It doesn't always happen, and it gives you a lot of confidence when you're able to do so."
By Stumps, Sri Lanka had slipped to 103/5 as Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada claimed two wickets apiece.