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Batsman had been told to force his way back into selection contention through “weight of runs”

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Jan-2020Temba Bavuma pitched his case for Test selection with a career-best first-class score of 180 on Thursday, before suggesting that he had grabbed his opportunity to spend time in the middle “with both hands”.Faced with an improbable fourth-innings target of 430, Bavuma resumed his innings on 41 after Lions were reduced to 98 for 4 overnight in their four-day game against Dolphins. He reached a fluent 50 soon before lunch, and celebrated with a punch of the air after bringing up his 15th first-class hundred from 153 balls.Wickets continued to fall around him, and he was eventually the last man out, miscuing Senuran Muthusamy’s left-arm spin to Andile Phehlukwayo at cover, who took a sharp catch. His 180 was the second-highest score in the fourth innings of a franchise match in South Africa, beaten only by Dean Elgar’s 189 not out in 2009.ALSO READ: Absent Bavuma highlights SA’s ever-present transformation issues“From a personal point of view, it’s always awesome to contribute to the team,” Bavuma told . “I have been someone who has been trying to rack up those big scores, fortunately today was that opportunity and I was able to grab it with both hands.”It was massive [to get time in the middle]. It feels like I hadn’t played cricket for ages to be honest, the last game I played was last week, but before that it was a T20 game [on December 1].”It was nice to be out in the middle, in the middle is where you can practice and practice and practice. You can set your goals and that stuff, but what matters is what you do in the middle, where you’re able to get your mind in the right space.Bavuma suggested that he had felt in good form even in the first innings, when he was caught at silly mid-on via the inside edge.”Not to be arrogant or anything, but I felt good even in the first innings,” he said. “It was a good wicket – yes the wicket deteriorated quite quickly, but I felt it was a good wicket. You had to have good plans against the spinners, and they were lucky in that they had guys that turn in away and guys that turn it in, that always kept you on your toes as a batter.”If you had your plans, stuck to your plans, there were definitely runs out there. I felt good from the first innings – soft dismissal from me, getting out to the right-arm offie [Prenelan Subrayen] – second innings, I tried to make things right.”Bavuma’s timing could hardly have been better, having been told publicly by Faf du Plessis that the only way to force his way back into the Test team was through “weight of runs”. It comes at the end of a long lean run with the bat: while he made two first-class hundreds for Northamptonshire in the County Championship last summer, his most recent ton on home soil came in the Cape Town Test of 2016, more than four years ago.Bavuma’s absence from the ongoing series against England has been a major talking point, with South Africa again missing their transformation targets in the Port Elizabeth Test. Du Plessis said on the eve of the game that he was “not getting in a battle with myself and Temba over who plays and who doesn’t”, while assistant coach Enoch Nkwe described him as a possible replacement for du Plessis as captain in the long term.

This was an eloquent response to those suggesting that Test cricket should last only four days

George Dobell in Cape Town07-Jan-2020

This five-day Test cricket thing is pretty good

This match provided an eloquent response to those suggesting that Test cricket should last only four days. Absorbing until deep into the final session of the fifth day, it attracted large crowds and included fine displays of steadfast and aggressive batting, spells of intimidating fast and skilful seam bowling, intriguing spells of spin and, most of all, the wonderful ebb and flow that makes this game so special. It was, in short, an excellent advert for the game and strong evidence that it doesn’t require too much tinkering. Administrators meddle with it at their peril.

Winning overseas is tough

Going into this match, England had not won an away Test in a live series (one that was not already decided) against any team other than Sri Lanka or Bangladesh since they were last in South Africa four years ago. And while they may have fancied their chances when declaring shortly after lunch on day four, South Africa kept them in the field for 137.4 overs before victory was finally achieved. By then, there were only 50 deliveries left in the match.England bowled well throughout South Africa’s second innings but, on a surface that had slowed considerably, they lacked the weapons – in particular, perhaps, an attacking spinner – which might have coaxed anything out of the pitch or the Kookaburra ball. As a result, they had to toil relentlessly hard to work their way through the South Africa batting. It was England’s first Test victory in Cape Town since 1957.

There’s only one Jimmy Anderson

James Anderson gave everything he had in this game. Even after it became clear, just before tea on the final day, that he was struggling with a side strain, he was the man his captain called upon to bowl after tea. With pain etched on his face between deliveries, he only managed two overs and may well have worsened the injury. But it was typical of him to try and telling that, even aged 37, he was the first choice in such circumstances.James Anderson receives the plaudits for a wicket•Getty Images

It seems odd to report now but, ahead of this game, there were suggestions that Anderson might be left out. As it transpired, however, Jofra Archer was ruled out through injury and England were not forced into any such decision. But he responded with an immaculate performance. Despite rarely gaining much swing – his outswinger simply refused to move in the second innings – he maintained pressure in every spell and, in the first innings, became the oldest England seamer to take a Test five-for since Freddie Brown in 1951. It is true that several of those wickets included lower-order batsmen but England have been frustrated by such batsmen often in recent times and, on a surface that negated bowlers as skilled Kagiso Rabada and Vernon Philander, Anderson finished with outstanding match figures of seven wickets for 63 runs from 37 overs. England now face an anxious wait to learn the severity of the problem. And, perhaps, whether Anderson can stand the thought of another stint of rehab.

Stats don’t tell the whole story

A regular refrain from some on social media is: ‘Ben Stokes isn’t that good; his stats are ordinary.’ Whether that point about his stats is true – a batting average of 36 and bowling average of 33 are really quite impressive – the fact is you cannot judge Stokes purely in those terms. In this game, he provided a record five catches in the first innings, an outstanding innings which helped England accelerate towards a declaration in their second innings – a more selfish player might have not have been prepared to risk his own wicket in such fashion – and a display of pace bowling that underlined, once more, his strength and fitness.Ben Stokes celebrates dismissing Vernon Philander to seal England’s victory•AFP / Getty Images

While the wickets didn’t come until late, he troubled all the batsmen with his pace and hostility and perhaps created wickets at the other end with the pressure he built. It was fitting that it was Stokes, when England had tried all other options, who tore in for one final spell and claimed the final three wickets. He was, quite rightly, Player of the Match.

The Vicar takes residence

The manner in which Dom Sibley (the vicar of Sibley, geddit?) batted throughout the second innings suggested England had found an opening partner for Rory Burns. In resisting for nearly 500 minutes, he saw the shine of the ball, wore down the bowlers and eased the role of his middle-order colleagues. This is exactly the requirement an England side rather heavier on aggressors than defenders have had for several years.Dom Sibley reverse-sweeps•AFP

Bess can perform a holding role

Dom Bess out-bowled South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj in this Test. The 22-year-old Bess, called into the squad as injury cover and without a match since September, performed admirably in conceding just 2.29 runs per over (from 27 overs) in South Africa’s first innings and thereby allowing England’s seamers to remain fresh and operate in rotation at the other end. While, in a perfect world, he might have proved more potent in the fourth innings, we probably have to be realistic. This was his third Test and only his 39th first-class game. England couldn’t reasonably have asked for more from him. Fitness permitting, he looks certain to be included in the squad to play in Sri Lanka in March.Dom Bess claimed the crucial scalp of Faf du Plessis•AFP

The Barmy Army are an asset to cricket – and England, in particular

The sad truth is that, in some nations and at some grounds, this wonderful final day may have been witnessed by a handful of spectators. Here, however, the spectacle was witnessed by several thousand thoroughly engaged supporters. Not all were supporting England, of course, but many were and the noise they made and the atmosphere they generated contributed to a wonderfully memorable day. On a more practical level, the fact that England have attracted so many supporters to follow them – some estimates suggest there are 10,000 England supporters in Cape Town – with the economic benefits it brings to the cities they visit helps keep the longest format viable. They probably deserve a bit more respect than they are sometimes given.

Dane van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp enjoyed fine all-round performances as England struggled with the bat

The Report by Andrew McGlashan23-Feb-2020In her 100th T20I, Mignon du Preez struck a six in the final over as South Africa held their nerve to secure just a third victory over England in the format in what could be a very significant result early in the World Cup.It was a thrilling end to a chase that South Africa won and lost on multiple occasions in the closing stages, before it came down to needing nine off the last over bowled by Katherine Brunt. The first two balls went for singles before du Preez swung that six over fine leg then clubbed a sweep through square leg (which got to the boundary, but by then the batters had crossed for what was the winning run, so it counted as a single*) to set off wild South African celebrations.The bulk of the chase was put together by a stand of 84 between captain Dane van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp, but both fell in the space of five balls as England threatened to turn it around.However, it was with the bat where England really let themselves down as they laboured to a total that, while not that far from being enough to win, was an unconvincing way to start their tournament except for Nat Sciver’s half-century. South Africa, though, were outstanding with the ball and, in the end, it did not go waste.A dramatic final fiveSouth Africa needed 34 off 28 balls when England hauled themselves back into the match through their spin twins Sophie Ecclestone and Sarah Glenn. Glenn had Kapp caught and bowled and in the next over, without a run added, the pressure told on van Niekerk as she sliced Ecclestone to point. England squeezed to such an extent that the target blew out to 33 off 18 balls. The 18th over, from Sciver, went for 14 to reignite South Africa’s hopes and when Chloe Tryon, who had struggled to middle the ball, cleared the fence off Ecclestone it came down to nine off eight. Amy Jones then missed a stumping chance only for Ecclestone to spear one through Tryon (who would have been lbw without scoring had England reviewed in the 17th over) meaning Brunt had nine to defend in the last. The third ball of the over was dropped short enough for du Preez to get far enough underneath it to clear the rope. Finally, that was the game.Allrounders stand tallAlthough for a moment it appeared their fine work would come to nothing, Kapp and van Niekerk had outstanding days. Kapp got South Africa up and running by ending a lively start from Jones in an exceptional display which included 12 dot balls across her four overs. With the bat she produced the shot of the match when she drove Brunt off the back through the off side on the final ball of the powerplay. Van Niekerk had gone for just five an over in four overs, without conceding a boundary, and claimed the key wicket of the in-form Heather Knight. While her innings was never quite at the tempo to emphatically put the chase to bed, she twice sent Anya Shrubsole for six and at the end of the contest could reflect on one of the better wins of her captaincy career.Pace and varietyShabnim Ismail only managed one wicket, when Brunt carved to third man, but her performance was another reminder of the priceless commodity of pace she brings to the South Africa attack. She clocked in at 125kph and regularly pushed 120kph, forcing the England batters back in their crease. As a whole, South Africa’s attack was always offering something different to contend with. It was a surprise to see left-arm spinner Nonkulueko Mlaba bowl the first over – and it cost nine as Jones started positively – but although she was the most expensive there wasn’t a weak link, to the extent that Sune Luus wasn’t even required.Sciver salvages EnglandFor a significant part of her innings, Sciver found the going as tricky as the rest of the England batting but crucially fought through and was there to catch up towards the end. From having 24 off 29 balls, she then collected 26 off her next 12 balls which included the lone six of the innings when she deposited Mlaba over wide long-on. She also brought out the scoop – a shot favoured by a few of the England batters – and her half-century came up off 40 balls. However, she was defeated by an excellent slower ball from Khaka which prevented her taking advantage of the final two overs. In a match of such fine margins, that could well have proved crucial.*

NZC exploring ways to ensure there is no reduction in workforce or pay cuts

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Apr-2020The COVID-19 pandemic has forced New Zealand Cricket to cancel the national women’s tour of Sri Lanka scheduled for later this month, while the long men’s team tour of Ireland, Scotland, the Netherlands and the West Indies in June-July appears “most unlikely”.”Clearly, this situation is extremely disappointing for everyone involved in sport,” David White, NZC’s chief executive, said. “Given the bigger picture, and the terrible toll COVID-19 is taking worldwide, we need to look after not only our own people but the greater community good. Cricket in New Zealand has been fortunate in that we were very much at the end of our home summer programme when this crisis struck.”There are also obvious question marks over the men’s tour of Bangladesh and their ‘A’ tour of India in August, but White said that it was too early to comment on them.In measures to prevent a downsizing of the workforce and to ensure there are no pay cuts, NZC is also applying for the government wage-subsidy scheme. This helps support employers adversely affected by the pandemic so that they continue paying their staff during the lockdown.”With the lockdown now in full force, we’re mindful of the difficulties facing our cricket community,” White said. “Our current focus is very much on ensuring the future sustainability of cricket in New Zealand.”NZC to adopt four-day working weekNZC staff and management have agreed to exhaust their leave entitlements over the remainder of the financial year ending July 31 by switching to a four-day working week.”We take our duty of care as an employer seriously and, at this juncture, want to avoid any changes to our employee headcount or remuneration levels,” White said. “However, we’ll continue to closely monitor the effects on the wider cricket family.”NZC plans to be work closely with the stakeholders over the next few months to explore various feasible scenarios for the upcoming season. White said, “Although the future is uncertain, we’re determined to be well-prepared for whatever opportunities arise.”

West Indies keeper averaged 4.80 in 2017 series but has turned the tables since

Matt Roller21-Jun-2020When West Indies last toured England in 2017, Shane Dowrich averaged 4.80. He struggled to adapt to the conditions, both with the bat and behind the stumps, and many onlookers surmised that Denesh Ramdin’s return to the Test set-up could not come soon enough.But since that tour, Dowrich has turned things around. He is now one of the first names on Jason Holder’s team sheet, and can lay claim to being one of the best wicketkeeper-batsman in the world: since the start of 2018, no keeper has scored more Test runs at a better average.”I consider myself a different player to what I was three years ago,” Dowrich said from Emirates Old Trafford, where West Indies have now been based for the best part of two weeks. “The last time I was here, it was very tough for me – it was a series that really changed around my career.”I was young, I was in unfamiliar territory – to be honest, I really didn’t cope well with it. Since then, I’ve been able to go away and I’ve learned a lot from my experience over here last time. Playing in England will always be a challenge, but I think I’m ready for it.”