‘I was locked in the bathroom sulking’: Temba Bavuma on his path from township to WTC final

The South Africa captain talks about street cricket in Langa, adapting to new schools after a scholarship and why playing at Lord’s means so much“There was always some sort of allegiance with Lord’s when we were growing up in Langa,” Temba Bavuma says of his childhood as a township boy living just outside Cape Town. Bavuma, the first black cricketer to captain South Africa, will lead his country against Australia in the World Test Championship final, which begins at Lord’s on Wednesday.In the quintessentially English surroundings of Arundel, the 5ft 3in Bavuma looks as if he has gone back to being a kid in the dusty townships. “In Langa we had a four-way street,” he says, his face crinkling with the memories. “On the right-hand side of the street the tar wasn’t done so nicely and we used to call it Karachi because the ball would bounce funny. The other side was the MCG [Melbourne Cricket Ground] but my favourite section of the street was clean, and done up nicely, and we called it Lord’s because it just looked better. So, as a kid of 10, I already had that dream of playing at Lord’s.” Continue reading...

Comments

Cricket news

Liam Dawson says no longer worrying about England selection was integral to his stunning comeback after veteran's career-best figures against West Indies

England vs West Indies: Jos Buttler and Liam Dawson lead hosts to opening T20 victory

Harry Brook's winning start as England captain continues as Jos Buttler hammers 96 and Liam Dawson stars on international comeback

The Hundred set for 'enormous boost' after ECB decision and new 'silver bullet'

‘I could actually do this’ – England cricket star reveals he seriously considered AMPUTATING injured toe

Liverpool transfer news: Luis Diaz holds worrying talks as Florian Wirtz warning issued

Pat Cummins' wife Becky takes a simple airport photo - and it speaks volumes about how different their lives are to the average Aussie's

England cricketer opens up on why he almost had his toe AMPUTATED in bid to end injury hell... before doctors advised him against drastic move

England recall Jamie Overton for India Test opener as Jacob Bethell returns

England star recalled following three-year absence for first Test against India... just one week after he broke his finger

How Harry Brook got off to a flying start as England's new white-ball captain: Funky fields, empowering team-mates and going hard at the start

IPL tragedy as at least 11 people dead in horrible crush at Bengaluru victory parade

11 dead in India cricket stadium stampede as tragedy strikes during IPL celebrations

At least 11 people dead in stampede outside cricket stadium ahead of victory parade for IPL Champions

England cricket star Jamie Smith sends warning to India and Australia - 'We're close'

More than 10 dead and dozens injured after horrifying stampede ahead of IPL champions' victory parade

Virat Kohli ends 17-year wait as Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally win first IPL title

Jamie Smith inspires England to seal 3-0 ODI series sweep over West Indies

England thrash West Indies in final ODI to secure whitewash after game was delayed because the visitors were stuck in London traffic

England cricket stars forced to arrive to West Indies ODI match on Lime bikes amid ‘shambles’ at The Oval

England's 10 greatest ODI innings - where does Joe Root's Cardiff masterpiece rank in Wisden Editor LAWRENCE BOOTH's definitive list?

England cricket match is delayed as West Indies team bus is stuck in heavy London TRAFFIC

Cricket star Greg Blewett breaks his silence on the shattering phone call from his mum that changed both of their lives forever

England star Will Jacks opens up on life under captain Harry Brook as Surrey all-rounder enjoys new finisher role

IPL final 2025 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings: Free betting tips, odds and predictions

South Africa seek Stuart Broad help in bid to beat Australia in World Test Championship final

Cult hero Aussie cricket star Glenn Maxwell announces shock ODI retirement and reveals the exact moment when he knew he had to quit

Record-breaker Joe Root keen to keep playing for England... even under 'idiot' Harry Brook!

Joe Root hits stunning 166 as England seal ODI series win over West Indies

England beat West Indies to take commanding lead in series as record-breaker Joe Root anchors chase

Jacob Bethell is the future for England cricket but here's why he should be kept waiting for Test call, writes NASSER HUSSAIN

Former footballer turned cricketer suffered bizarre injury by pressing a button in a lift

England seamer Saqib Mahmood confident he can play a leading role in new white-ball era under Harry Brook - as he reveals delight with his injury recovery

Freddie Flintoff leaves son Rocky, 17, OUT of England Lions team for India test

Young star Jacob Bethell defends missing Zimbabwe Test for IPL as Ollie Pope steals a march in battle to be England's number three

Jacob Bethell gets Harry Brook era off to a flying start... and gives England a selection headache as he shows his class in crushing West Indies win

England thrash West Indies as Harry Brook's reign as new white-ball captain gets off to stunning start

Cricket legend Jason Gillespie reveals the bizarre sequence of events that led to him turning a legendary American TV and movie star into a cricket fan

Six T20 Blast stars to watch: The IPL phenom, England's next great leg-spinner and a 6ft 7in quick desperate for another chance

Jamie Smith is handed chance to be England's answer to Adam Gilchrist as he is urged to 'bang it' by new captain Harry Brook

New England white-ball captain Harry Brook dealt big blow as star bowler is ruled out of one-day series with West Indies

Sikandar Raza saga shows the sinister trend haunting cricket's T20 franchise leagues - and the dangerous world it opens up

Ben Stokes praises Shoaib Bashir after 21-year-old's superb man-of-the-match display against Zimbabwe

England ticked off almost all their troubles against Zimbabwe... but Sam Cook is a worry and will not feel he did himself justice, writes NASSER HUSSAIN

England vs Zimbabwe: Harry Brook takes stunning catch as Shoaib Bashir stars in three-day Test win

Shoaib Bashir reasserts himself as England's No 1 spiner and sets a new career best as Ben Stokes' side comfortably see off Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge

Ben Stokes is back with a bang to put England on track for a three-day win against Zimbabwe but Brian Bennett brilliance exposes inexperienced attack

Shoaib Bashir showed real character to come back with three wickets on day two against Zimbabwe but the young spinner must keep showing signs of improvement to nail down a place in the Ashes, writes NASSER HUSSAIN

Ben Stokes strikes twice for England as Brian Bennett leads Zimbabwe resistance

Wretched Zimbabwe reveal the gulf between cricket's haves and have-nots - this change needs to happen, writes NASSER HUSSAIN

Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope among THREE England centurions on day one of the Test summer against Zimbabwe to give selectors a headache

Ollie Pope scores century as England set new record in dominant win over Zimbabwe

Inside the turmoil at Lancashire - what's gone wrong, who's to blame and how they fix it, reveals DAVID 'BUMBLE' LLOYD

Ben Stokes sets lofty England goal ahead of Zimbabwe Test

DAVID 'BUMBLE' LLOYD: My definitive ranking of England's Test grounds from worst to best - which stadium is No 1?

Zimbabwe's Ben Curran on facing England, failing to fulfil his potential at Northamptonshire and being the 'tame brother'

Ben Stokes sends five-word message to England cricket bosses as clear summer target set

Sign up to The Cricket Drop - a new cricket newsletter on Substack

These matches will determine how history remembers Ben Stokes' England - they will stretch the side to the limit but they must make sure they don't slip up against Zimbabwe first, writes LAWRENCE BOOTH

I was sent death threats and forced to flee country after taking stand at peak of my career.. now I sing on cruise ships