'There's nothing amiss between us': Temba stands firm on tight bond with former Test skipper

Newly installed Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma made it clear there's no bad blood between him and former skipper Dean Elgar, whom he has replaced as Test captain.

The leadership change was announced last week Friday, along with player changes from the unsuccessful Australian touring group.

Bavuma, who was formerly Elgar's vice-captain, was insistent that Elgar remains an important part of the team's batting set up ahead of the West Indies Test series that starts on Tuesday at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

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"It's a bit of a naughty one because there's nothing amiss there and there's nothing wrong between me and Dean," Bavuma said.

"We've always been good teammates and I've always looked up to Dean as a senior player.

"He helped me settle into the team, so I don't see how things can change with the leadership changes that have been made.

"I've had discussions with Dean, but there's nothing there between me and Dean that people have to be concerned about."

Where Elgar failed in his leadership, aside from the two Test series reverses against England and Australia away, were the diminished returns with the bat.

Elgar's 17 Tests as leader of the Test group saw him make 833 runs at an average of 26.87 with seven 50s and no tons.

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The last of those half-centuries came in a first-innings knock of 70 runs against Bangladesh in Gqeberha in April and, in the face of sterner bowling examinations against Australia, England, and New Zealand, the 50s were not forthcoming.

Bavuma may assume the leadership role on the back of being