logo
David Bedingham: The Proteas' secret weapon for WTC final glory against Australia?

David Bedingham: The Proteas' secret weapon for WTC final glory against Australia?

The Star21-05-2025

Having just recovered from injury in time to be selected for the Proteas squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final next month, David Bedingham will be hoping to pile on the runs in the County Championship this week.
Playing for Durham, the 31-year-old has not played since April 11 as he was out with a broken toe.
Before that, Bedingham had scores of 58, 45, 68, 43*, 28 and 68 in his previous First Class outings.
Having recovered now, Bedingham will be in action from Friday when Durham host Somerset at Chester-le-Street.
"I don't want to look too far ahead, but I do think I'm going to go into the game well-prepped and try my best to score runs, but obviously in cricket you can't guarantee that. Whether I score noughts or score hundreds, I'll try my best,' Bedingham told SportsBoom.co.za.
As for the WTC final against Australia at Lord's in London, starting on June 11, the middle-order batsman did not give much away on which side would be favourites.
"Going into that WTC final, it doesn't matter how many runs you've scored leading up to it, I think it's just like a once-off game and whoever plays better for those five days will win.
'I'll go into the WTC game thinking exactly the same. Wanting to score runs, training hard, and just seeing where I can come out.'
Having played a number of seasons of first-class cricket in England, it means Bedingham has the most experience of the Proteas players in English conditions and that could count massively in their favour.
"I think that personally, that doesn't put any more pressure on me. I think it doesn't matter where you play or what Test match you play, there will always be pressure.
'But personally, I'm not going to put myself under more pressure because I've played here more. Every Test match you play, there's pressure. Hopefully, we can all embrace it and do our country proud.
"I just think you need to identify that maybe in South Africa, there's a bit more bounce. But as soon as you start training and as soon as you start speaking about conditions, I think all players adapt well. The guys that are picked in the final will have 12 days leading up to the Test of good training. So, I think everyone will be well prepared going into that match."
@Michael_Sherman
IOL Sport

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Russell looks forward to Twickenham roar as Bath seek end to Premiership drought
Russell looks forward to Twickenham roar as Bath seek end to Premiership drought

eNCA

time22 minutes ago

  • eNCA

Russell looks forward to Twickenham roar as Bath seek end to Premiership drought

Bath and Scotland fly-half Finn Russell is relishing the unusual prospect of being a Twickenham hero in Saturday's English Premiership final against Leicester. Russell is used to being regarded as a villan by fans at the English national stadium on his international visits with Scotland. But the British and Irish Lions number 10 can expect vociferous backing from Bath's travelling army of fans this weekend as his team go in search of their first English top-flight title since 1996. Russell kicked 14 points to help Bath beat west country rivals Bristol 34-20 in the play-off semi-finals, securing their second successive final appearance. "It is always good playing in front of a sold-out stadium," said the 32-year-old playmaker. "Having your home fans there, hopefully the majority of tickets are Bath fans, that will be special. "I know the other side of playing at Twickenham. Usually when I am there, it is 70-odd thousand fans against me." Russell is determined to help Bath make amends for last season's final loss, a painful 25-21 defeat against Northampton. "I think that motivation has been there for everyone," Russell said. "After getting that final and losing it last year, it is always quite tough to come back in that next year. "But I think everyone came back in pre-season in good shape and kind of ripped in straight away." Bath, who came top of the regular-season Premiership table, are chasing a treble, having already won the European Challenge Cup and the Premiership Rugby Cup. Johann van Graan's side finished 11 points clear of second-placed Leicester and Russell called on them to secure the long-awaited title at Twickenham this weekend. "At the start of the year, the goal was to win the Premiership. We have gotten ourselves in a good spot just now to hopefully go and do that," he said. "We have almost got back to where we wanted to be and hopefully can go one step further this year."

Proteas women welcome Kapp ahead of her 150th ODI
Proteas women welcome Kapp ahead of her 150th ODI

IOL News

time33 minutes ago

  • IOL News

Proteas women welcome Kapp ahead of her 150th ODI

WHILE Temba Bavuma is set to lead the Proteas Test squad in the World Test Championship at Lord's today, Proteas Women captain Laura Wolvaardt is bracing to lead her side in the first of three One Day Internationals (ODIs) in the Caribbean today. After having a rather poor tour of Sri Lanka last month, where the side failed to reach the final of the Tri-Series against the hosts and India Women, Wolvaardt welcomes senior player Marizanne Kapp, who missed the Sri Lanka tour. Kapp is set to play her 150th ODI at the Cave Hill today, joining the likes of Mignon du Preez to cross the 150 ODI games mark. Wolvaardt told the media on Tuesday that they are excited to welcome a player of the calibre of Kapp back into the squad. "It is massive (to have Kapp back into the side). I think Kapi is obviously the best bowler in the world, and she bats pretty well as well. She's like two players in one, so it's awesome to have her back in the lineup," said Wolvaardt. "I think just her experience as well, she's been in the Caribbean a bunch of times, so just having that knowledge and being able to chat to her, I think, will be massive for the series. Just the presence she has within the group and within the seamers group as well. "I know she chats a lot to some of the young seamers like Dirkie (Annerie Dercksen) and helps them develop their skills. She has so much to offer. I'm very excited to have her back. "Knowing Kapi, she'll probably not want to make it a thing (reaching 150 ODIs). She's quite humble in the way that she plays and doesn't really look at milestones like that. "But I'm sure when she takes the field for the 150th, we'll try and make it a big deal and make sure it's a special moment for her. Obviously, playing that many games for your country is something super special and deserves to be recognised, even though she may not want to admit it." Kapp's presence will boost the side's chances of bouncing back after having had a poor Tri-Series in Sri Lanka. On the other hand, the West Indies are also coming from a dismal tour of England, where they were whitewashed in both the three-match ODI and T20I series. However, Hayley Matthews returns to the West Indies Women's side as well as Chinelle Henry, a set of players who are known to be game changers. "They didn't have the best series over in England, but they have made a couple of changes. Hayley Matthews is back. Chinelle Henry is back as well, and she's been a key player for them in the last few months," Wolvaardt told the media on Tuesday. "You can never take a team lightly in their home conditions. It could be a completely different ball game here with them being at home, having knowledge about the ground that we're playing on. "They're definitely not a team that you can take lightly at all. They're a team that can easily take the game away from you with much power they have. We're still going to do our due diligence with our planning and make sure that we're on top of our game come tomorrow." The first of three ODIs between the two sides is set to get underway at 4 pm SAST on Wednesday.

SA chase another major cricket title: ‘It would be special,' says Bavuma
SA chase another major cricket title: ‘It would be special,' says Bavuma

The Citizen

timean hour ago

  • The Citizen

SA chase another major cricket title: ‘It would be special,' says Bavuma

The South Africans surprised by selecting all-rounder Wiaan Mulder in the number three batting position. South Africa's Temba Bavuma speaks to the media at a press conference at Lord's cricket ground in London on Tuesday. Picture: Henry Nicholls / AFP South Africa's latest bid for a major cricketing title gets under way at Lord's in London on Wednesday when the Proteas take on their fiercest rivals, Australia, for the World Test Championship crown. While Australia have won several ODI and T20 titles, South Africa have yet to lift a trophy of any real significance. They have come close, especially in the last few years, but glory has continued to elude them. But now they have another chance, against Pat Cummins' powerful Aussies, in the World Test Championship final. Proteas captain Temba Bavuma said going all the way in the final would be 'special'. 'To be regarded as a top cricketing nation we must be playing for silverware … we've now ticked that, so going over the line is the next step. 'Winning the title would be a massive feather in the caps for this group [of players]. We often speak about excellence, about doing something special for each other and our country, well now we have an opportunity to do that. 'It would be special [to end the wait for a world title]. Just being here is a highlight of my career, but it would be nice if we backed it up with something … winning this would be special in a lot of ways.' Surprises in team selections Both teams sprung surprises when they named their playing XIs on Tuesday, with South Africa opting for Lungi Ngidi ahead of Dane Paterson in the bowling attack, while Australia have decided to go with Marnus Labuschagne at the top of the order, as they continue to look for a suitable replacement for the now retired David Warner. 'It was one of the tougher decisions that had to be made,' said Bavuma on Tuesday about having to pick between Ngidi and Paterson. 'Pato did so much for us at the end of last season, but from a tactical point of view, Lungi gives us a bit more pace and he's also got a good record, and that's taking nothing away from Pato. Lungi has played here [at Lord's] before, and he has the experience, not that Pato hasn't. 'But, we feel Lungi will complement the bowling attack a bit more. We also have [Wiaan] Mulder, who gives us something similar to what Pato can do.' Bavuma added the team had full confidence in all-rounder Mulder batting at number three in the order. 'He's taken confidence from being backed there in recent times and all we want is for him to go out and play his game.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store