Temba Bavuma won't change his style of play in the T20 Global League

South African Test mainstay, Temba Bavuma, who has been roped in by the Joburg Mavericks in the inaugural edition of the T20 Global League this season, believes he doesn’t need to change his style of play, given the format of the tournament.

Bavuma has had a reputation of lacking flamboyance but being technically proficient and has been successful in the longest format of the game. The Joburg Mavericks boasts the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Brendon McCullum, Colin Ingram‚ Vernon Philander‚ Andile Phehlukwayo and Yasir Shah in the lineup.

“I won’t let external influences dictate the way I play. I’m not an emotional character. I play the game the way I see it. If I contribute well to the team those other things‚ like the perception about the type of player I am‚ will sort (themselves) out,” commented Temba Bavuma during the launch event of Joburg Mavericks.

“As much as you want to improve and be like a Chris Gayle who hits the ball out of the park‚ I don’t feel I need to change my game 360 (degrees) compared to what I’ve been doing in domestic cricket. I don’t need to try and emulate a Brendon McCullum or a Chris Gayle,” opined Bavuma according to Times Live

Kagiso Rabada also stated that the team is looking forward to the presence of McCullum in the squad.”He brings a very aggressive style that will hopefully rub off and influence players in a positive way in the camp and in the city. It’s exciting,” revealed Rabada.

Joburg Mavericks squad:

Marquee Protea: Kagiso Rabada. Marquee International: Brendon McCullum

Rest of the squad: Colin Ingram‚ Vernon Philander‚ Andile Phehlukwayo‚ Chris Jonker‚ Temba Bavuma‚ Patrick Kruger‚ Yasir Shah‚ Nicolas Pooran‚ Duanne Olivier‚ Jonathan Vandiar‚ Roelof van der Merwe‚ Andries Gous‚ Rabian Engelbrecht‚ Dane Piedt‚ Andre Malan‚ Zubayr Hamza.

Coach: Sridharan Sriram. Assistant coach: Grant Morgan