Guwahati, India – Temba Bavuma, South Africa's Test captain, has openly expressed his frustration regarding the limited opportunities his team gets to play lengthy Test series, especially when compared to the high-profile Ashes series between England and Australia. Fresh from leading his team to a historic Test victory in Kolkata against India, their first in 15 years, Bavuma admitted to experiencing "a bit of jealousy" while watching the Ashes from Perth.
Bavuma's remarks came during a pre-match press conference, where he highlighted the disparity between South Africa's schedule and that of England and Australia. Despite being the reigning World Test Champions, South Africa is currently engaged in a two-Test series against India, while the Ashes rivals battle it out in a five-Test affair. He emphasized that these limited fixtures don't reflect the quality and tradition of contests between elite Test nations.
"We woke up this morning to watch the Ashes. We watched with a bit of jealousy, knowing that they were playing five Tests. They'll be going at each other," Bavuma stated, clearly feeling that the shorter series format undermines the competitive stature of South Africa and their opponents. He voiced his hope that the situation would change soon, particularly for series against formidable teams like India, expressing a desire to return to playing four-Test series.
Bavuma also pointed out that players have little say in scheduling decisions, which are often driven by commercial considerations. Series like the Ashes, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (India vs Australia), and the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy (India vs England) are commercially viable and therefore, are prioritized as five-match series. In contrast, series involving South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies, or Bangladesh typically feature only two Tests.
"Players are not involved when it comes to mapping out the schedule," Bavuma explained. He added that his teammates have consistently voiced their frustration about this issue when interacting with the media.
The South African captain believes that longer series would not only be beneficial for the players but also for the fans. "It would be nice for a three-Test series against a formidable team like India," he said. He feels that extended series provide opportunities for teams to dominate, for momentum shifts, and ultimately, for a deserving victor to emerge, making for a more compelling viewing experience.
Bavuma remains optimistic that by consistently playing good cricket, South Africa can attract more top nations and secure more opportunities for longer Test series in the future. He acknowledged the financial realities that often dictate scheduling but hopes that a greater emphasis will be placed on the quality of cricket and the desires of the players and fans. For now, Bavuma and his team will focus on the task at hand: the ongoing Test series against India, while keeping a watchful, and perhaps envious, eye on the Ashes.
