Proteas all-rounder Wiaan Mulder says the Proteas batting depth and the return of captain Temba Bavuma will continue to be important for South Africa as they chase a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
South Africa beat Sri Lanka by a massive 233 runs at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Durban last week, and they took a huge step in their quest to qualify for the first WTC final set to be held at the iconic Lords Cricket Ground in the United Kingdom next year.
The second and final Test match is currently underway at St Georges Park in Gqeberha, and the Proteas need to win that clash and the upcoming two-match series against Pakistan to ensure their path to that final is uninterrupted.
Mulder has been one of the form players in national colors, and he is coming off a successful series for South Africa against Bangladesh in October, where he scored his maiden Test century and a handy half ton in the second Test.
The 26-year-old could not repeat the same feat in Durban as his Test series against Sri Lanka was ended prematurely after he was struck in his right hand by a Lahiru Kumara short ball in the first innings of the first Test, and he has since been on a road to recovery.
“It's broken, right in the middle, but it shouldn’t be too long for me to make a comeback. I'm doing some oxygen therapy to try and speed up recovery to get me back as soon as possible. Mulder told the Independent Media.
“Getting an opportunity to get a hundred is always special, but I think it has been more about the mental growth that I have had in the last couple of years that has led me to try and get better at the international level.”
The right-handed batter believes South Africa has what it takes to make the final, especially with the depth they have in the squad, and he has praised the impact of captain Temba Bavuma since his return from injury.
“I think we have a strong team, a strong squad, and it will take a squad for us to make the WTC final. We are off to a good start against Sri Lanka; hopefully we can win the second Test, and then we have a big series against Pakistan to try and secure the top spot on the table.
“There are a lot of positives we have taken to the second Test match: the fact that we won so comfortably in the first Test on a really difficult wicket, I think things like our batting depth and having Temba back in the team and in good form, and also as a leader, is a great positive for the environment.”
Mulder, currently back with the Lions rehabilitating from his injury, was one of the 16 beneficiaries of the Mahindra vehicles handed over at the DP World Wanderers Stadium on Wednesday, to cap off what has been a good week following their Sports Organization of the Year award won at the Sport Industry Awards 2024.
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