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Ken Borland


Bavuma: Folding under World Cup pressure no concern of current Proteas team

Posted on November 08, 2021 by Ken

Proteas captain Temba Bavuma said on Thursday that previous South African teams folding under pressure at global events is no concern of the current side as they head into the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Most overseas pundits are not expecting the Proteas to make the semi-finals, despite their fine recent form in the shortest format of the game. This is a far cry from most previous World Cups when South Africa have routinely been one of the favourites and have inevitably failed to deliver.

“The pressure that has been put on previous teams, we’ve had those conversations and we accept those pressures are always there,” Bavuma said. “But this bunch of players does not carry that on their shoulders.

“We accept that the expectations outside of our camp are not as high, but we know the standards we have set for ourselves. As a team, there is a certain level of expectation that we have and we have put in a lot of preparation on the physical and mental side of the game. Everything is quite relaxed at the moment.”

Bavuma said his recovery from his fractured hand is “still on track” and Friday will be the day when he faces ‘live’ bowling in the nets for the first time, having come through a lengthy session of throw-downs on Thursday.

“I had a good batting session and the hand is definitely getting stronger by the day, it’s feeling a lot more comfortable. Tomorrow I will face actual bowlers and get comfortable with what I can do and make peace with what I can’t do. I can assess where I am,” Bavuma said.

With the veteran finisher David Miller assured of a place in the middle-order and Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen likely to bat there as well, Bavuma said his place in the batting line-up will be at the top of the order.

“My role is quite obvious and clear to me and I will come in at the top. Reeza Hendricks has been batting well there too, so one of us will probably open with Quinton de Kock,” Bavuma said.

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    Ephesians 4:13 – “Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

    The standard against which we measure our progress is nothing less than the character of Christ. It sounds presumptuous to strive for his perfection, but we must aim no lower.

    Of course, comparing what you are to what Christ is could make you pessimistic and you give up. However, intellectual and spiritual maturity doesn’t just happen – it requires time and energy to develop your full potential.

    “Never forget His love for you and that he identifies with you in your human frailty. He gives you the strength to live a godly life if you will only confess your dependence on him every moment of the day. Draw daily from the strength that he puts at your disposal for this very reason.” – Solly Ozrovech, A Shelter From The Storm

     

     



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