Makhaya Ntini expresses concerns over Temba Bavuma’s form

Former South Africa fast bowler Makhaya Ntini has reckoned that coach Mark Boucher will need to think about Temba Bavuma’s recent form in international cricket.

Bavuma is in the midst of a turmoil on the personal front that has been affecting his form on the pitch. The skipper has only managed to score 61 runs at an average of 15.25 in five T20I outings this year. The player was previously disappointed to attract a bid in the auction for his country’s new Twenty20 league, the SA20.

Moreover, an injury layoff kept Bavuma in the sidelines and his return to the national side for the away series against team India has not been fruitful. Former player Ntini has advised Boucher to think of the performances projected by Bavuma for the national side.

Ntini advices Boucher on South Africa skipper

The former South Africa speedster went on to say that the Proteas may need to consider replacing Temba Bavuma with Reeza Hendricks.

“It’s one of those things Mark Boucher needs to think of as he has got players around him. Since Bavuma is failing, it’s a chance for Reeza Hendricks to come back and represent South Africa, especially after he scored four half-centuries in a row,” Ntini told a cricket news website.

“Bavuma needs to think about where he wants to go from now. He needs to make sure that everyone follows him whatever he does as a leader. If you are not scoring runs, it becomes hard for you,” he added.

The Proteas had a task at hand to win the second T20I against the Men in Blue on October 2 at Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. However, they lost the high-scoring game by 16 runs despite David Miller’s century. Chasing a mammoth 238, South Africa tried until their last breath even as they lost Bavuma and Rilee Rossouw for ducks. Miller’s smacked 106 off just 47 and got an able hand in Quinton de Kock, who mustered 69 off 48 of his own. However, India managed to hold their nerves to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.