South Africa’s Temba Bavuma calls selectors over ‘obvious’ batting errors on the Australia Test Tour

South Africa’s No.4 Temba Bavuma admits his side need more help batting after being dismantled by Australia during Blowout Test defeats in Brisbane and Melbourne.

The Proteas, who came to Australia ranked No. 3 in the world, picked five frontline bowlers during the first two Tests for an average total of 161 over four innings.

Bavuma scored the highest score in South Africa’s second innings at the MCG with 65 before a self-proclaimed “brain fart” cost him the chance of a second Test century.

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The 32-year-old said South Africa should consider bringing in another batter for the third Test at SCG from January 4.

“It would be nice to have an extra batter,” Bavuma said.

“The cotton looks a bit thin. I mean, that’s something that’s obvious.”

It was a dramatic fall from grace for the Proteas, who had legends like Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis in their top six when they last played Australia in 2018, winning the infamous ball-tampering scandal series 3-1.

South Africa captain Dean Elgar slammed the Proteas for a “rather weak” loss to MCG in his post-match press conference, saying he and his teammates lacked courage.

The surrender saw Australia secure their first home win in a Test series against South Africa since 2005/06.

Bavuma was part of the Proteas team that crushed Australia on their last Tour Down Under in 2016-17.

“Obviously disappointing how we ended up as a team in the two friendlies,” he said.

“Obviously that’s not what we prepared for as a team and it doesn’t do justice to all the work that we’ve put in.

“We also came here to Australia and they asked questions and we didn’t get any answers.

“International cricket is a brutal, brutal sport and a lot of us are learning that.”

Although the series was already lost, Bavuma believed South Africa still had a lot to offer in the New Year’s test.

“We still have a lot to achieve and return home with a smile,” said Bavuma.