Published on 02:17 PM, October 03, 2023

Captain's factfile: Temba Bavuma

PHOTO: ICC

Factfile on South Africa captain Temba Bavuma ahead of the Cricket World Cup which gets underway in India on Thursday:

Name: Temba Bavuma

Age: 33

Playing role: Batsman

International ODI career

Matches: 30

Runs: 1,367

Highest score: 144

Average: 54.68

100s: 5

50s: 4

-- Patience and history-making seem to be two cornerstones of Bavuma's career.

He made history when he became the first Black South African to score a Test hundred, against England in 2016. But he needed patience over the next seven years, two months and 88 innings as he waited for his second Test ton.

He needed patience with his ODI career as well. It started in 2016 with a century against Ireland but his second ODI came a year later in October 2017, when he scored 48.

He had to wait even longer, almost two and a half years, to play his third in February 2020 - he celebrated his recall with 98 against England. Bavuma then took over as ODI captain in March 2021.

At five foot three, he lacks the brute power of many ODI thrashers - but he has timing and technique.

A top order regular he opened against Australia in September and carried his bat for an unbeaten 114.