Graeme Smith: Temba Bavuma and team can't have soft session at Lord's

Former Proteas batsman Graeme Smith is the most successful captain in the history of Test cricket.

Smith’s 53 Test wins is the most. Australia’s Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh won 48 and 41, respectively. India’s Virat Kohli won 40.

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“As the last man that held the mace at Lord’s in 2012, it would give me great pleasure to see Temba Bavuma and this group of players lift it. All South Africans should unite and support the team on this important mission,” Smith told ESPNcricinfo. ahead of the Proteas’ World Test Championship final against Australia in London this month.

“When you get into that game, then Temba’s got to control it. He’s going to have to lead. In the build-up, Shukri Conrad might do a little bit more. Then when you get into the Test match those roles kind of shift. Your captain’s going to have to be a key performer in the Test match.”

Bavuma’s Test average is 37.95. His Test average against Australia is 40.25. His Test average in England is 32.12. This will be Bavuma’s second Test at Lord’s. He scored 59 and 21 here against England in 2017.

“It’s obviously an exciting time for Temba, but it’s also a big game. It will be about playing the moments, and handling the pressure as the game goes on,” added Smith.

“The thing about tense Test matches, in every session, as a captain, you say it’s an important session, because it starts to feel like that. You can’t have a soft session. They’re going to have to make sure that every session they’re up for it and that they don’t give away an inch.”

The WTC final will start on Wednesday. Australia are the reigning WTC title holders. New Zealand won the inaugural WTC final in 2021.