South Africa captain Temba Bavuma entered the history books following his monumental 179 against Australia in the second Test at Gqeberha on Tuesday.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma entered the history books following his monumental 179 against Australia in the second Test at Gqeberha on Tuesday. The Proteas began the day in deep trouble after Scott Boland stunned the top order following a lengthy rain delay. Bavuma picked up the pieces, stitching together crucial partnerships with Ryan Rickelton, Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer for the fifth, seventh and eighth wickets respectively. Bavuma’s marathon knock eventually came to an end late on Day 3, before South Africa declared their first innings at 425/9.
However, he broke several records in the process, leaving several greats of the game behind.
Oldest captains to score 150 or more vs Australia in Test cricket:
Temba Bavuma (South Africa) – 179, 36 years 154 days, Gqeberha, 2026
Mohammad Azharuddin (India) – 163, 35 years 38 days, Kolkata, 1998
Wally Hammond (England) – 240, 35 years 5 days, Lord’s, 1938
Mike Denness (England) – 188, 34 years 69 days, Melbourne, 1975
Andrew Strauss (England) – 161, 32 years 136 days, Lord’s, 2009
Bavuma became the oldest captain in Test cricket to score 150 or more against Australia, breaking the previous record held by former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin.
Bavuma, at 36 years and 154 days, is also the oldest captain and the first since Australia’s Arthur Lindsay Hassett to score 150 or more in a Test innings in South Africa. Incidentally, Hassett’s knock of 167 against South Africa came at the same venue in 1950.
Oldest captains to score 150 or more in a Test innings in South Africa
Arthur Lindsay Hassett (Australia) – 167, 36 years 187 days, vs South Africa, Gqeberha, 1950
Temba Bavuma (South Africa) – 179, 36 years 154 days, vs Australia, Gqeberha, 2026