South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the crunch Cricket World Cup clash with England due to illness. Image: @ProteasMenCSA
Proteas can win it – Bavuma
Proteas captain Temba Bavuma believes his team are candidates to win the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India later this year.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the crunch Cricket World Cup clash with England due to illness. Image: @ProteasMenCSA
Proteas captain Temba Bavuma believes his team are candidates to win the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India later this year.
“Representing your country in a Cricket World Cup is a dream come true for any player, but to captain your country on cricket’s biggest stage is an achievement beyond most players’ wildest dreams,” Bavuma said in an ICC statement.
Bavuma humbled to be leading the Proteas
“This will be my first 50-over Cricket World Cup and I am humbled to be entrusted with the job to lead the group of men we will have come September.”
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Despite their historical stumbles at the World Cup, the Proteas can do it this time according to the captain.
“The road to success is never linear and we’ve definitely had our ups and downs on the road to qualification, but the important thing is that we have made it and we are in it to win it,” said Bavuma.
“I’m looking forward to the showpiece that the tournament is guaranteed to be and hope to lead South Africa to historical achievements.”
“This is going to be an exciting World Cup for everyone involved,” he continued.
“With India as hosts, we as players know the kind of fanfare, noise, and festive energy we can expect from fans in and out of the stadiums.
“It’s going to be a carnival of cricket like no other and definitely a World Cup we are looking forward to taking part and excelling in.”
Proteas at the 2023 Cricekt World Cup
7 October – vs Qualifier 2, Delhi
13 October – vs Australia, Lucknow
17 October – vs Qualifier 1, Dharmshala
21 October – vs England, Mumbai
24 October – vs Bangladesh, Mumbai
27 October – vs Pakistan, Chennai
1 November – vs New Zealand, Pune
5 November – vs India, Kolkata
10 November – vs Afghanistan, Ahmedabad
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The Proteas’ first three matches are very crucial and should they win all of them, then it will allow them to play freely throughout the tournament.
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After their third fixture, the Proteas now face the rest of the big guns, with a run of successive matches against title holders England, Bangladesh, Pakistan, New Zealand and hosts India. Those five fixtures should test their World Cup credentials and should they win at least three of those games, they should qualify for the semi-finals given they win their first three matches.
They will play their last match group against Afghanistan on 10 November which they should win but given the tournament is being held in the sub continent, a win for the Proteas might not be a mere formality.
