One would associate South Africa as a country historically renowned for unearthing diamonds.
Truth be told, this comes as no surprise as in the mines of Kimberly, a city in the Northern Cape Province, the Mzansi has produced these glittering pieces that have undoubtedlymade this nation shine bright.
Akin to scouting these precious stones in the mine fields, this country has also managed to discover sparkling gems in its cricketing annals making it a force to reckon with.
The likes of Barry Richards, Mike Proctor, Jacques Kallis, Alan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Graeme Smith, AB de Villiers, Francois du Plessis and more have all herald their emergence as notable luminaries within the realm of diamonds in cricket.
Well, another jewel not yet in the similar mold as the aforementioned greats albeit certainly destined to shine bright is a Mark Waugh-esque batter called David Guy Bedingham.
Hailing from George, a small city in the Cape Province of South Africa, Bedingham made his first-class debut in the season of 2012, scoring a mountain of runs, 6189 to be precisetill date at an impressive average of 49 which earned him a lucrative contract with the English county Durham.
He furthered his run making exploits in England mounting his maiden double century in first-class cricket, with 257 runs forDurham in the 2021 County Championship.
Not being able to find a place in the South African XI with competition and politics galore, David contemplated qualifying for England to harbor his international ambitions as he held a UK ancestral visa earning him the right to become a local player.
Well, patriotism had the last say and Bedingham committed to his home nation which perhaps unquestionably was South Africa’s gain.
The U-Turn paid dividend immediately as he was rewarded a spot in the playing XI against India in the 2023-24 inbound tour comprising of a two match test series.
David began his international test career with a bang at one of South Africa’s most scenic grounds in Centurion, scoring an imposing 56 runs of just 87 balls on debut.
Enroute to scoring his maiden fifty, this tall right hander played some impressive cuts and pulls of the back-foot taking the likes of seasoned campaigners in Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj to the cleaners.
David Bedingham’s feat along with a mammoth effort of 187 runs put in by then captain Dean Elgar, was enough to seal the fate in the home country’s favour as South Africa annihilated India by an innings and 32 runs in the first test.
At the onset of the new year, declining a lucrative T-20 deal in the SA20, this elegant batter decided to commit to the national cause and travelled with a not so strong South African team down under to the shores of New Zealand.
And boy was this decision fruitful, as Bedingham scored yet another 50 in just his third test walloping a majestic 87 of just 96 balls pulling the likes of Tim Southee, Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson for 13 fours and three maximums.
The cherry on the cake was yet to come as this boy from George not content with just pilling fifties soared to reach the three-figure mark in the second test of the outbound New Zealand tour.
His third score of fifty or more in just his fourth test. Well, if this is not praise worthy then what is?
David Bedingham notched up his hundred off just 141 balls with a mouth-watering 12 fours and two maximums, and what was even more heartwarming was the timing of this majestic knock aiding the Proteas to set a formidable target of 267 for the Blackcaps in the fourth innings albeit finally ending up on the wrong side.
The drives, cuts and pulls undoubtedly demonstrate the proficiency of this towering piece of marvel to handle the ball with much ease on the front and backfoot enroute to cementing a permanent place in the South African middle order with an average of 75 though still in its nascency.
The Proteas are truly adorned to have unearthed the exquisite jewel called David Bedingham, and they must nurture him diligently, for in the time to come, he is destined to illuminate their endeavours with resplendent brilliance, bringing pride and honour to his nation-hungry to shine bright, yet again.
Image source– Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA)
