Bavuma named ODI and T20I captain, Elgar is new Test captain

File image: Temba Bavuma.

Temba Bavuma has been named South Africa’s ODI and T20I captain. Dean Elgar has been appointed Test captain.

The appointments of Bavuma and Elgar mean wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock has been relieved of the Test, ODI and T20I captaincies.

CSA ‘indebted’ to de Kock

“We are grateful to Quinton for the work he has put in as captain of the team in the limited-overs formats and are indebted to him for stepping up while the national selection panel continued its search for the Test captain. We expect him to still play an integral role in the team’s leadership group,” said Cricket South Africa director of cricket Graeme Smith.

“We as CSA are pleased with the appointments of Temba and Dean and believe that we have the men who will lead the Proteas back to their winning ways of old.

“The pair bring the required stability in both leadership and form to turn the ship in the direction that will eventually bring trophies back to the cabinets.

Bavuma’s ‘strong and influential voice’

“Temba has been a strong and influential voice in the team in recent times and has shown consistency on the field in all formats, solidifying his place as a leader.  He also has the trust and backing of the players and coaches around him.

“We are excited to have him lead the Proteas in the upcoming T20 World Cups as well as the 2023 World Cup in India. He will also be the Test team’s vice-captain, working closely with Dean to ensure continuity and stability in the squad.

Elgar’s ‘grit and determination’

Dean has made no secret of his Test captaincy ambitions over the years and we are pleased to have a leader who is ready, willing and able to step up to the massive task of turning our Test cricket fortunes around.

“His role as a leader in the Test team has never been in doubt and I know that he relishes the prospect of captaining the Test team. We are confident that he will bring the same grit and determination to his captaincy as he has brought to his many performances on the field over many years.”

File image: Dean Elgar.

What Elgar said

The 33-year-old Elgar has played 67 Tests since debuting in 2012. He captained the Test XI in interim capacities against England in 2017 and Pakistan 2019.

“I’ve always said that to captain your country in any form of the game is the biggest honour that a player can be fortunate to receive. To captain my country’s Test team, which I believe to be the pinnacle of the game, is the biggest highlight of my career and I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent my country in such an important way,” concluded Elgar.

What Bavuma said

The 30-year-old Bavuma has been capped six and eight times at ODI and T20I level, respectively. He has never captained the Proteas, in any format, previously.

“Captaining the Proteas has been a dream of mine for many years as those closest to me would know. This is one of the greatest honours of my life so far and I am looking forward to picking up where Quinton has left off in leading the team into the new culture that we have developed and continue to work on,” added Bavuma.