‘I had to pinch myself’

Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma says he had to “pinch himself” when he met West Indies legend Brian Lara for the primary time this week.

Bavuma additionally spoke about his love of the West Indies workforce following the Proteas’ first Test win in opposition to the boys from the Caribbean in Centurion on Thursday.

Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who took six second innings wickets within the Proteas‘ win, additionally spoke fondly of the West Indies aspect.

‘High regard’

“I hold the West Indies team in high regard. Before the game I got a chance to speak to Brian Lara when he came up to me to wish me well. I had to pinch myself there,” mentioned Bavuma, who scored two geese within the Test.

Lara is working within the teaching division within the West Indies aspect.

While the present West Indies workforce won’t be as sturdy as among the groups of the late 70s and 80s, or when Lara was at his dominant greatest, Rabada mentioned he, too, had nice “admiration” for the workforce that’s now led by Kraigg Brathwaite.

‘Rich history’

“It’s Test cricket, and irrespective of who you play in opposition to, it’s arduous. The West Indies are a really succesful workforce. They have a wealthy historical past … whether or not they have a excessive profile or a low profile, it doesn’t matter.

“I’ve enormous admiration for the West Indies cricket tradition.

“As a bowler how can you ignore their famous bowling attack and the likes of Lara, Gordon Greenidge, Viv Richards. They dominated world cricket at a stage. The whole world knows about West Indies cricket.”

Rabada added West Indies cricket had performed a job in his upbringing and that lots of the bowlers had impacted his personal taking part in model.

“How many T20 World Cups have they received? They’re an exceptional aspect with an important cricketing tradition and I’m pals with lots of the gamers.

“I’ve admired the players who’ve come before as I admire the current players. They’ve played a role in my cricketing upbringing.”

The Proteas received the primary Test by 87 runs inside three days at SuperSport Park. The second Test begins subsequent Wednesday on the Wanderers.