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Temba Bavuma says it would be difficult for any team to fill the void left behind by Hashim Amla
Temba Bavuma speaks about the challenges that the South African side will face in Hashim Amla's absence
South Africa A will play five one-dayers and two four day games against India A. Middle-order batsman Temba Bavuma is keen to make best use of this opportunity ahead of the ICC World Test Championship series against India starting on September 15. He considers this as an opportunity to get used to the conditions here.
He said, "It is always nice to test yourself in foreign conditions like in the sub-continent. Obviously, we want to get more game-time in conditions we are not used to. It is important to make runs and pick up wickets in such conditions, which will be good for us."
Bavuma, 29 has represented South Africa in 36 Tests and has scored 1716 runs at an average of 33.
"As a batter you are always greedy and would want more runs and centuries against your name. I am enjoying my journey as a Test cricketer and am always trying to improve."
Bavuma also feels that the retirement of Hashim Amla will open up more opportunities for players like him to step up and make significant contributions.
"It is difficult for any team in the world to fill the void left behind by Amla's retirement. It is up to guys like me who have been playing Test cricket regularly for the last two years to step in and try to make it count."
He was also wary of the challenges against playing a quality side like India. "Obviously any team will want to play well in India, which has got a quality side. As batsmen, we like to challenge ourselves against bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. And it will also be a challenge to bowl to world-class batsmen like Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and others in the sub-continental pitches. More than individual performances, we will have to play well as a team in the upcoming tour."
South Africa will play 3 T20Is and 3 Tests between September 15 and October 23.
