Temba Bavuma, there is not much expectation going into T20 World Cup

T20 World Cup: South African cricket team is going into this 2021 ICC T20 World Cup with seven players playing their first world event. Proteas captain Temba Bavuma has expressed that there is not much expectation as the team is short on big names and experienced players.

“There’s not much expectation,” admits captain Temba Bavuma, himself a World Cup debutant. However, he quickly adds that he is talking about external perceptions rather than in the team room where, he says “we have a certain level of expectation”.

T20 World Cup: South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma admits, ‘With 7 WC debutants in squad there is not much expectation’

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🏋️ The hard work continues in the gym as the #Proteas get themselves in tune ahead of the #T20WorldCup #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/rrdOyCjkyr

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) October 13, 2021

Bavuma says there is a quiet confidence in a team notably missing T20 stars such as AB de Villiers, who confirmed his retirement from international cricket earlier in the year, and former captain Faf du Plessis, who was available but not selected. “We have had some positive results which are good for our confidence,” said Bavuma. “We have done our work as a collective.”

Those good results include a current streak of a South African record-equalling seven successive T20 international wins, encompassing series victories against T20 World Cup champions West Indies, Ireland and Sri Lanka – all achieved away from home.

🇿🇦 Inspired by the vibrant colours of our flag and unique designs of Ndebele art, the #Proteas #T20WorldCup kit honours our heritage and diversity.

We celebrate all that is South African as we take on the world#BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/zxyUT0xk38

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) October 14, 2021

Unusually, South Africa’s success has been built on accurate spin bowling, a major departure for a country long known for its battery of fast bowlers, but likely to be a positive on the slow pitches expected in the United Arab Emirates. South Africa started each match in Sri Lanka in September with three slow left-arm bowlers — Tabraiz Shamsi, Bjorn Fortuin and Keshav Maharaj — and also made use of the right-arm off-spin of top-order batsman Aiden Markram.(South Africa cricket team)

T20 World Cup: The slow men collectively claimed 16 of the 22 Sri Lankan wickets that fell to bowlers. South Africa’s batting, though, shapes up as a problem with the form of Quinton de Kock seemingly key to the side’s fortunes.

De Kock’s form dipped during an unsuccessful stint as captain in all three international formats, leading him to take a “mental health break” after a disappointing tour of Pakistan in January and February. But the left-handed opener has been back to his best since coming back without the burden of captaincy. His total of 455 runs over the past three series is 196 more than the next highest-scorer, fellow opener Reeza Hendricks. (South Africa cricket team)

😁 Even when you’re hard at work, there’s always time to crack a smile#Proteas #T20WorldCup #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/cFPLG65pyT

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) October 14, 2021

Seven of South Africa’s nine wins in the past three series have come after batting first and posting relatively modest totals, ranging from 159 to 189, with the latter total coming against lowly-ranked Ireland. Bavuma will be hoping to break a long-running history of failure at ICC events since the country won the ICC Knock-Out Trophy, forerunner of the Champions Trophy, in 1998.(South Africa cricket team)

T20 World Cup: Since then they have played in 19 tournaments, reaching the semi-finals nine times without going on to a final. South Africa’s solitary recent success was at Under-19 level when Markram led a side which included fast bowler Kagiso Rabada to victory in the 2014 junior event, also in the United Arab Emirates.

“At the time there wasn’t a lot of media exposure. There was a lot less pressure on the players,” said Markram, who believes the current side are mentally equipped to deal with pressure. “We’re not bringing too much baggage into this World Cup. Everyone here is pretty free-spirited.”

T20 World Cup: South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma admits, ‘With 7 WC debutants in squad there is not much expectation’

Low public expectations could work in the favour of Bavuma’s team – but the pressure will be ramped up if South Africa reach the knock-out stage. (2021 ICC T20 World Cup)

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