‘There's no more outside noise, it's now about matters related to the cricket he's playing’ - Temba Bavuma backs Sisanda Magala after match-winning performance

Temba Bavuma, the South African skipper, backed Sisanda Magala by claiming that there is no more outside talk about the fast bowler now. On Friday, March 31, Bavuma led his side to beat the Netherlands by eight wickets in the second one-day international (ODI). This meant that the Proteas have moved one step closer to securing automatic qualification for the Cricket World Cup. Notably, Magala took three wickets for 37 and emerged as the man of the match.

Bavuma praised Magala's performance in the second ODI against the Netherlands, stating that the wickets he took gave momentum to the team. The 32-year-old bowler is becoming an important part of the Proteas' white-ball bowling attack.

"Sisanda is positioning himself as one of the match-winners in this team, specifically with the ball. He picked up those wickets at vital moments that gave us momentum and we ran with it," Bavuma was quoted as saying by IOL.co.za. 

"There's probably also a lot of relief from a lot of people and himself around the opportunities that he's now being afforded. There's no more outside noise, it's now just about matters related to the cricket he's playing on the field. He's thriving. A lot of things have happened for him and a lot more will in the coming months,” he further added.

Sisanda Magala will play for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023

Magala will play for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. Bavuma believes the experience will be crucial for Magala when he travels to compete in the cash-rich league. Bavuma, on the other hand, was hesitant to commit to him in the team if they qualified for the upcoming World Cup, which will be held in India from October 5.

"For our sake, as a team, we want him to learn and grow in India, to keep producing these performances. Come later in the year - and that's not to say he's guaranteed a spot in a World Cup squad - those lessons will help him put up those performances," Bavuma concluded.