Temba Bavuma scored an unbeaten hundred in the first ODI against Australia in Bloemfontein today (September 7) and became the first South African captain to carry his bat in the process.

South Africa were put into bat by Australia in the first ODI of this five-match series that is being looked at as the ideal preparation ground for both teams ahead of the World Cup.

On a two-paced surface with uneven bounce where everyone around him failed, Bavuma put his hand up and battled it out, becoming just the 13th batter in ODI history to carry his bat. He led from the front, taking South Africa to a fighting total of 222 after they were in a spot of bother at 100-5.

Bavuma has been in tremendous form in ODIs this year. His knock of 114 today was his third century from seven innings in ODIs in 2023. Currently, he averages 106.8 and has a strike rate of 105.1 in ODIs this year. That is the highest average and the fourth-highest strike rate for anyone with more than 500 runs this year.

Quinton de Kock, Bavuma’s opening partner, found it tough to get going at the start as Josh Hazlewood and Marcus Stoinis bowled tight lines and were helped by the extra bounce on offer. He perished for 11 off 31 balls in the ninth over of the innings before Rassie van der Dussen was run out three overs later for eight.

The famed South Africa middle-order of Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, and David Miller couldn’t do much either. Markram top-edged a pull off Cameron Green, Klaasen got one that keep low, and Miller edged one behind to the wicketkeeper for a duck.

At 100-5, Bavuma was joined by Marco Jansen, who hung around for a while and played his shots. His 32 off 40 took South Africa to 157-6. From there, it was the Bavuma show. The last four batters added five runs combined, but the last four wickets fetched South Africa 65 as Bavuma batted expertly with the tail.

Lungi Ngidi was the last man to go, nicking behind to give Hazlewood his third wicket. Stoinis took two, while Abbott, Agar, Zampa, and Green shared one each.

After this innings, Bavuma’s ODI career average stands at 57.45, the fifth-highest among players to have played 27 ODIs or more, and the second-highest among South Africans after van der Dussen’s 58.83.

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