David Bedingham

A South African run-machine, David Bedingham is a professional cricketer who plays Test cricket for the Proteas and represents Durham in the County Championship. The former Cape Cobras batter Bedingham ended a burgeoning career with the Cobras before the start of 2020, instead opting for a contract with Durham in county cricket.

He made his first-class debut in March 2013 and rose through the ranks to become one of the clinical batters to ever play in the South African domestic circuit. Bedingham had the third-highest average in the 2019-20 4-Day Domestic Series, and his final four innings for the Cobras averaged a whopping 211, admittedly boosted by two not-outs.

The 27-year-old's career-best innings came against Derbyshire in the 2021 County Championship. He struck a superb knock of 257 runs, which became the second-highest individual total achieved by a Durham batter, which is only behind Australian Martin Love's 273 for Durham against Hampshire in 2003. 

By mid-2021, David Bedingham had emerged as one of the most prolific batters in English county cricket—a South African by birth, but a Durham hero by performance. In April that year, he played a masterclass innings of 257 against Derbyshire, marking his maiden double century in first-class cricket. 

The following year, 2022, was a test of his consistency and resilience. He kicked off with a measured 76 against Glamorgan and followed it with a majestic 191 against Leicestershire, reaffirming his reputation as one of the most dependable top-order batters in the county circuit. One of the year’s most memorable moments came when he partnered with Ben Stokes for a 220-run stand, during which he contributed 135. Yet, it wasn’t a season without setbacks. A back injury, compounded by a later shoulder knock while fielding, forced Bedingham to miss crucial games towards the end of the season, temporarily halting his momentum.

But 2023 proved to be a redemptive arc. Returning to Durham’s lineup with renewed focus, Bedingham piled on multiple centuries throughout the season. His form and temperament finally earned him a call-up to the South African Test squad—an overdue nod from the national selectors. 

On Boxing Day, he made his long-awaited Test debut against India at Centurion and marked it with a composed 56 in the first innings. 

In 2024, Bedingham transitioned from consistent to historic. In May, he etched his name into Durham folklore by becoming the first player from the club to score four consecutive centuries in the County Championship. These included a fluent 144 against Hampshire and twin centuries—101 and 103—against Lancashire. His crowning achievement came in September: a jaw-dropping 279 against Lancashire, his new career-best, stitched together in a record-shattering 424-run fifth-wicket stand with Colin Ackermann. These exploits underscored his status not just as a county giant but as one of the best red-ball batters outside the elite Test group.

The attention wasn’t limited to the longer format. In August, Bedingham was picked up by SunRisers Eastern Cape for the SA20 league, adding a franchise cricket feather to his already brimming cap. Joining the reigning champions for the 2025 season meant he’d now get a taste of high-pressure T20 action alongside the game’s elite—a new challenge that he seemed poised to relish.

Heading into 2025, Bedingham’s upward trajectory showed no signs of slowing. He continued to churn out runs for Durham and remained in contention for South Africa’s middle-order in Tests. 

(As of May 2025)