During Day 2 of the first Test at Kingsmead, Durban, between South Africa and Sri Lanka on Thursday, November 28, Temba Bavuma faced a funny and unusual incident. This moment quickly went viral, showcasing the lighter side of cricket amid a fiercely competitive game. The incident took place during the 22nd over of South Africa’s first innings.
Bavuma, positioned at the non-striker’s end, somehow managed to get his thumb stuck in the grill of his helmet. As Sri Lankan pacer Lahiru Kumara prepared to deliver the fifth ball of the over, Bavuma wrestled to free his thumb, creating a brief and humorous interruption in play. The footage spread rapidly across social media, sparking laughter among fans and commentators alike.
Despite the comic mishap, Bavuma has been a standout performer for the Proteas in the Test. In the first innings, he demonstrated resilience, crafting a crucial 70 off 117 balls. His knock helped South Africa recover from a precarious 117/7 to a more competitive total of 191. This effort laid the groundwork for the hosts’ dominant position in the match.
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The spotlight then shifted to Marco Jansen, who delivered a stunning bowling performance, claiming career-best figures of 7/13. Sri Lanka’s innings crumbled under his relentless attack, and they were bundled out for a mere 42 runs in just 13.5 overs, handing South Africa a commanding 149-run lead.
Lord Bavuma k thumb fas gya 🤣#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/weyMVsSY7T
— Mr X (@rbc_guy) November 29, 2024
In their second innings, South Africa declared at 366/5, with Bavuma continuing his fine form to score a well-constructed 113 off 228 deliveries. He was ably supported by Tristan Stubbs, who contributed a gritty 122 off 221 balls.
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Sri Lanka’s chase has been fraught with challenges. By stumps on Day 3, they were in dire straits at 103/5, with Dinesh Chandimal and captain Dhananjaya de Silva tasked with salvaging the innings. Meanwhile, Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, and Gerald Coetzee have kept up the pressure, sharing wickets as the Proteas eye an early finish on Day 4. The weather, however, could still play a decisive role in determining the outcome of this one-sided contest.
