Surviving is an art in red-ball cricket, especially in hostile conditions the like of which frequent South Africa, and every opportunity worth its weight in gold. However, David Bedingham went against all conventional wisdom in Gqeberha on Thursday to spurn two lives before departing for cheap.
Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma put together a steadfast 133-run stand across the first two sessions of Day 1 at St George’s Park to bail the Proteas out from a sticky position of 44/3. The duo looked as comfortable as ever in the middle which forced the Lankan pacers to opt for a bumper strategy as they sent a barrage of bouncers the batters’ way, not relenting until the skipper buckled to depart for 78. With the tactic successful, the visitors insisted on bouncers when the next batter David Bedingham walked in too but some hilarious twists of fate meant the batter departed in different fashion.
On just his fifth delivery, Bedingham failed to cope with the steep bounce generated by Asitha Fernando and sent the red cherry flying into the air. It should have been a straightforward catch for his fellow quick Vishwa Fernando after he covered ground quickly to get to the ball, only to let it through his mitts once it dropped into his palm. 11 deliveries later, Bedingham committed the same mistake twice, this time the Kookaburra sailing down the throat of deep fine leg. However, this time it was the chance of Dinesh Chandimal to disappoint his team as he let the simplest of sitters fall to the ground innocously.
Yet, even such stark lessons were not enough to temper Bedingham as in the next over, he came charging down against Prabath Jayasuriya but was outdone by the lack of spin as the ball crashed into his leg-stump. Bedingham’s 19-ball innings thus lacked any real impact on the game even though it made for some great entertainment in a tightly-contested encounter.
Dreadful
A dreadful innings by Bedingham comes to an end
Looked like zero thought went into it#SAvSL— Werner (@Werries_) December 5, 2024
Can’t believe it
I can’t believe he’s dropped that. Bedingham fell so perfectly into that trap. #SAvSL pic.twitter.com/qdph3djMQj
— Estelle Vasudevan (@Estelle_Vasude1) December 5, 2024
Somebody have a word: two-lives-already David Bedingham thinks he is playing T10!
— Rob Houwing (@RobHouwing) December 5, 2024
Shameless
What a shameless guy bedingham, Bavuma & rickleton stitched priceless partnership. This mug came n played careless shot n survived twice still chose to throw away wicket.
— Mathmagician (@NaniPruthviraj) December 5, 2024
Nightmare
Bedingham has had a nightmare innings. This has been clown show innings so far
— WARDELL (@MrFord_10037) December 5, 2024
David Bedingham😊 pic.twitter.com/55vPlkQ0B8
— Mthoko Ntshingila (@Mnchingy10) December 5, 2024
True
If you get to the test level, you surely should be able to curve your natural instinct of pulling the ball
Bedingham dropped twice#SAvSL— Werner (@Werries_) December 5, 2024
WTH?
Guys what is the fuck David Bedingham, we are setting up for a big score and he keeps giving Sri Lanka to take his wickets 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️, he must fucken duck under the ball https://t.co/qCFYIwnsSp
— A Runner With A Struggling Cheque Account (@OfficialVeli) December 5, 2024
Bedingham has been awful since his 💯 in NZ!!
— Ayanda (@Ayanda_tso) December 5, 2024
