SMITH: TEMBA HOLDING THE MACE WILL LIFT THE GAME IN SOUTH AFRICA

Betway SA20 Commissioner Graeme Smith believes the Proteas’ ICC World Test Championship final victory over Australia “will really lift the game again in South Africa”.

The Proteas’ Test side made history at Lord’s when they won South Africa’s first major ICC trophy in 27 years. 

Temba Bavuma’s team have since returned to a hero’s welcome at OR Tambo International Airport with ecstatic fans further celebrating the team’s triumph at the Sandton Convention Centre this week.

“I think we've fought extremely hard over the last two to three years to really build South African cricket up again, various people have got involved and see the team performing well on the global stage,” said Smith. 

“I think this will really lift the game again in South Africa - Temba holding the mace and what that will mean for the people back home."

Smith was particularly pleased to see Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain Aiden Markram deliver a match-winning 136 in the second innings after he predicted prior to the WTC Final that the 30-year-old could be a potential “gamechanger”. 

“I actually picked him at the start of this innings. I said, 'If South Africa are going to go on to do this, he's the man' because he scores. He takes the game on and you'll keep the scoreboard ticking all the time,” he said.

“It's an occasion like this to see him own it and to perform. Coming off a nought in the first innings, coming out second innings under pressure.

“The performance that he put in, (it) was incredible to watch right from the get-go. He looked at good positions. He had one punch of the back foot. You thought, 'Okay, the man's here!”

Smith also hailed Proteas skipper Bavuma for showing great courage in fighting through a hamstring strain throughout his 66 that formed part of the 147-run partnership with Markram.

“It was always important (for Bavuma to lead from the front),” Smith said. 

“Temba’s been South Africa’s most consistent batter, but obviously battling the injury.

“I think we mustn't underestimate that he's fought on through a sore hamstring, and really putting his country first in building that partnership with Markram.”

The Proteas’ next Test assignment is a two-match series against Zimbabwe, starting on July 28 in Bulawayo.