WATCH: South African skipper Temba Bavuma provides comic relief after his thumb gets stuck in helmet grill

South Africa are on the verge of a huge win in the first Test match against Sri Lanka. The visitors were 5/103, still needing a massive 413 runs to win the game at the end of Day 3. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 42 in their first innings to give the hosts a huge lead of 149 runs. Centuries by Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs ensured the hosts declared their innings on 366/5 in the second innings. 

During the third day of the opening game, Temba Bavuma was caught in a hilarious episode. Proteas skipper saw his thumb get caught between his helmet grill just as the bowler was getting ready to bowl. Bavuma was seen struggling to get his thumb out of the grill leaving everyone in splits. 

Lord Bavuma k thumb fas gya 🤣#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/weyMVsSY7T

— Mr X (@rbc_guy) November 29, 2024

Armed with an overall lead of 149 runs, South Africa dominated the Sri Lankan attack in the second innings. Prabath Jayasuriya dismissed Tony De Zorzi and Wiaan Mulder for 17 and 15, respectively. Aiden Markram was bowled by Vishwa Fernando for 47 off 81 balls. 

Tristan Stubbs and Temba Bavuma then added 249 runs for the 4th wicket in 72.1 overs. Both batters scored tons with Stubbs scoring 122 off 221 balls while Bavuma scored 113 off 228 balls. 

Temba Bavuma shares delight after scoring a crucial century 

Speaking to the media at the end of the day, South African skipper Temba Bavuma seemed happy after scoring his century. The right-handed batter as quoted by CRICBUZZ said, “I'm not too good when I get to the 80s and 90s. I'm going to try and get to a hundred as soon as I can. My intent didn't change. I was always looking to score.That became high-risk with the new ball. but I tried to stay to that approach as much as I could."

Bavuma also added, “Getting to the three-figure mark was nerve-wracking. When I was at 97, facing Jayasuriya, I got one off the first ball, and then the next two balls, Tristan blocked them. I went over to him and I said, 'Stubbo, please get me on strike; I can't wait at this end.”

Sri Lanka saw their veteran opener Dimuth Karunaratne fall to Kagiso Rabada for 4 caught by Stubbs. Gerald Coetzee then got the big wicket of Pathum Nissanka for 23. Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal then added 44 runs for the third wicket. 

That stand was broken when Matthews was out for 25 and dismissed LBW by Marco Jansen. Kamindu Mendis became the 9th wicket of the game for Jansen for 10 before Rabada dismissed Jayasuriya for 1. At stumps, Chandimal was batting on 29 with Dhananjaya De Silva yet to get off the mark.