Temba Bavuma persevered after a shaky start and produced a fine century on his One-Day International debut against Ireland on Sunday, helping to propel South Africa to a prodigious 354/5 in their allotted 50 overs.
The 26 year old was one of three debutants selected by South Africa for the one-off Momentum ODI in Benoni, along with Dwaine Pretorius and Andile Phehlukwayo. In the absence of Hashim Amla (who is awaiting the birth of his third child), Bavuma slotted in at the top of the order - where he’s only batted twice before in his career - and once he’d gotten over the nerves he produced an accomplished innings, packed with silky strokeplay.
In fact Kevin O’Brien will rue the chance he missed when Bavuma had just one - the right hander edged a swinging delivery from Peter Chase to second slip, where O’Brien dropped a very simple chance.
Bavuma had lots of good fortune early - he nearly chopped the ball onto his stumps in the same over in which he was dropped - but the 20th ball of his innings signalled a change. He drove Tim Murtagh beautifully through the covers for four. It was as if a switch had been flicked, suddenly his feet moved better, he got into line with the ball and the strokeplay was a joy to behold.
In contrast to Bavuma’s start, his opening partner Quinton de Kock was in sublime touch, punishing anything remotely off line from the Irish bowlers. In fact while Bavuma settled in, it was De Kock who gave the innings impetus as he notched up a seventh ODI half-century scoring at comfortably better than a run a ball.
Together the pair put on 159 for the first wicket, which given the rate at which they were scoring was seemingly setting their side up for another total in excess of 400. Bavuma, after settling in scored at a good rate, mixing some lovely boundaries, with quick running between the wickets.
By the time De Kock was out for 82, bowled off the inside edge by O’Brien - an innings that included eight fours and two sixes off only 66 balls - Bavuma was well set.
He dominated a 62-run second wicket partnership with the Proteas’ stand-in skipper Faf du Plessis.
After being stuck on 90 for 10 balls, Bavuma pulled Murtagh for four to re-establish some rhythm. He went to his hundred with a sublime lofted cover drive, becoming only the second South Africa after Colin Ingram to make a century on his ODI debut.
He was out four overs later - attempting to increase the scoring rate he top edged a drive and was caught by Stuart Poynter in the covers - having scored 113 off 123 balls, hitting 13 fours and a stunning pulled six.
Ireland deserve some credit for slowing South Africa’s scoring with Craig Young responsible for the dismissals of Bavuma Du Plessis, in what was the Irish’s best period of the innings.
After being asked to bat by Ireland captain William Porterfield, South Africa will be pleased with their final total against an Irish attack that lacks firepower.
Thanks to JP Duminy and Farhaan Behardien, they were able to add 116 runs in the final 10 overs, with the Duminy making 52 not out - his 22nd ODI half-century and Behardien 50 off just 22 balls.
O’Brien with 2/66 and Young, with 2/81 were the best of the Irish bowlers.
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