The Indian broadcaster Harsha Bhogle came up with a very interesting observation about Temba Bavuma and Devon Conway ahead of the start the test series between New Zealand and South Africa.
Harsha pointed out that both Bavuma and Conway actually played first class cricket together for the same team in the domestic circuit of South Africa when they were young players coming through the ranks.
However, a few years down the line, these two players are now representing two different countries altogether. While Bavuma is representing South African national team, as he made his way through the system and into the national set-up, Conway moved to New Zealand to explore better opportunities and he is now a part of the Kiwi set-up.
Tomorrow when New Zealand and South Africa take the field to play test match cricket, the old mates Conway and Bavuma will be up against each other. While Conway has only just started his career in the longest format of the game and has had a decent start, Bavuma is a settled South African player and is the vice-captain of the side.
There have been many South African players who have migrated to the other countries in search of better opportunities in international cricket and Devon Conway is not the only South African player who is currently playing test cricket for New Zealand. Even Neil Wagner, the left arm fast bowler who has played a key role in New Zealand’s success in test cricket over the years, is from South Africa.
Devon Conway might be extra motivated to perform against South Africa
It remains to be seen if playing against his native country brings some extra motivation for Conway, as the series between New Zealand and South Africa starts tomorrow, but the left hander has actually been a very consistent performer for New Zealand already. He started his career with a hundred against England in his debut series and then backed it up with a hundred against Bangladesh at home.
Never know where life takes you. Temba Bavuma and Devon Conway played together as young men in first class cricket in Johannesburg. Now, as accomplished players, they are playing test cricket against each other.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 15, 2022
While Conway would want to keep up the consistency for New Zealand, Bavuma would want to do the same for South Africa as well, as he recently performed brilliantly with the bat for the Proteas in the home test series against India. Bavuma is also the vice-captain of the South African side now and thus, will have an extra responsibility on his shoulders as he goes into this much important test series.
