Proteas captain Temba Bavuma and coach Rob Walter returned home to an absent crowd following their recent exit in the semi-finals of this year’s cricket world cup.
Cricket lovers expressed their disapproval of the fact that captain Temba, who recently returned from a hamstring injury, got elected to bat in a must-win semi-final encounter against Australia.
It was a decision that cost the team a place in the final, as the captain was dismissed with a four-ball duck early in the game forcing the rest of the team to save what’s left of the game. Unfortunately, it was not enough as they ended up losing.
When the captain and coach duo made their return home from India this past Saturday, there were only a handful of people to welcome them back – a scene rarely seen as South Africans are known to give many of their athletes a heroic welcome after they represented the nation on the international stage.
Proteas ODI coach Rob Walter and captain Temba Bavuma arrived at OR Tambo Airport last night. pic.twitter.com/Ztrj902Are
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) November 19, 2023
Dear South Africa this is NOT how our captain and coach should be welcomed back to the country!
Proteas captain Temba Bavuma and Coach Rob Walter are back from India after finishing in the SEMI FINALS of the ICC Cricket World Cup
Here are the fans who came through pic.twitter.com/AHhmKbYUZg
— Xoli Zondo (MBA) (@XoliswaZondo) November 18, 2023
Speaking to the media after his return, Temba admitted that he was not one hundred percent fit to participate in the semi-final but says that that will not force him to give up his captaincy.
“Yes, I was not 100%, but if you know anything about professional cricket you will know guys don’t play cricket at 100% all the time. I have played games for the country with broken fingers and done well.
In response to public backlash, he added that there were many other occasions when he had injuries and continued doing well, yet nobody talked about those positive moments.
“People have never questioned [when] I have played series with a groin injury and done well. So, for that to be used as an excuse for the [reason] of our exit from the competition is crazy, with all due respect.
Temba says that there is a lot more that he and his group achieved as a team, and things needed to be put into perspective.
“Even you guys asking these questions, I should also make that clear: you can’t go and read something on social media and make it a headline. I would never consider stepping down in a semifinal — that I would never consider.”
Proteas ODI captain Temba Bavuma defends captaincy and playing while not 100% fit and admits to batting challenges. pic.twitter.com/Xbb6YKvh7q
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) November 19, 2023
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