Temba Bavuma on ICC test fixtures debate

In recent years, Australia, England, and India have played more Test matches than the rest of the ICC member, which has greatly impacted the competitiveness among the likes of South Africa, West Indies, Pakistan, and New Zealand, to name a few.

The three nations enjoy an advantage when it comes to the scheduling tours, as they dictate terms given they carry the bulk of interest and subsequently broadcast rights revenue.

As a result, the Proteas have seen the number of test matches dwindling in recent times, making it harder for them and others outside the ‘top three’ to compete in the ICC World Test Championships.

Bavuma, speaking on Ukhozi FM with Victor Molefe on Wednesday evening, expressed his concerns about the current situation but accepts they need to perform in order to raise their own status and break the dominance at the top.

"It is a very sad situation. We all want to play a lot of Test cricket. Unfortunately, three nations have the power to decide," Bavuma told Molefe.

"For us, we can just keep on fighting, putting pressure by playing good cricket and winning our games.”

Speaking of performances, the skipper has often come under mass scrutiny in limited overs formats, but he maintains that his focus is to keep doing well for the national team.

"Pressure will always be there, people will always talk, my only focus is to keep doing well and improving,” he said.

Bavuma enjoyed an impressive 2022/23 season, which has resulted in four nominations in the upcoming Cricket South Africa Awards, after he earlier took on the captaincy of the Proteas Test team.