Proteas secure World Cup spot: ‘An honour to lead team,’ says Bavuma

Now that the Proteas’ participation at the 50-over Cricket World Cup later this year in India is confirmed, the team can get down to the business of preparing, said captain Temba Bavuma on Wednesday.

The Proteas, who at one stage were in danger of not qualifying automatically and having to play in a 10-team qualification tournament in Zimbabwe, secured their spot in India on Tuesday, after the ODI match between Ireland and Bangladesh was rained out.

The Irish had to win all three matches in the series in order to keep alive their own hopes of automatic qualification and send South Africa to the qualification tournament that includes teams such as the West Indies, Sri Lanka, the Netherlands and Scotland.

‘Tricky journey’

The 50-over World Cup will be played in October and November in India.

“I am pleased to learn that we’ve secured our qualification for the upcoming 50-over World Cup that is going to be hosted in India later this year,” said captain Bavuma.

“If I look at the journey, it’s been a tricky one for us as a 50-over team to get to this point, but I think looking at the last couple of months, a lot of positive strides have been made as a team.”

The Proteas’ most recent series win was against the Netherlands, who they thumped 2-0, with one match rained out.

“We are well positioned to build on the momentum and confidence that we’ve gained. Now is the perfect opportunity for us to really focus on the World Cup from a preparation point of view, nail down on our plans and brush up on areas that we feel we need to brush up on,” said Bavuma.

Australia series

“Personally, it will be a major honour and privilege for me to be leading the team in my first-ever 50-over World Cup and I hope we can achieve some good things as a team.”

CSA Chief Executive Officer Pholetsi Moseki said: “It was by no means a straight-forward route to guaranteeing their spot, but the Proteas showed character and now coach Rob (Walter) and his team can look ahead to preparing for the tournament.”

A number of the Proteas players are currently playing in the Indian Premier League in India, with the big star former captain Faf du Plessis.

The Proteas are next in action against Australia, in a three-match T20 series and five ODIs in August and September, just days out of the start of the World Cup.

The series will start with three T20s and will be followed by the five ODIs, in Bloemfontein (two), Potchefstroom, Centurion and Joburg, between 7-17 September.

The World Cup gets underway on 5 October, when all 10 teams play each other once, with the top four on a point stable progressing to the semi-finals. ends