Blow for South Africa as skipper Bavuma ruled out of key WTC outing
South Africa’s Men’s Test captain Temba Bavuma was ruled out of the first Test of the two-game series against Bangladesh.
Scans revealed a left tricep muscle strain on Bavuma, thus ruling him out of the opening fixture of the Bangladesh tour.
The two-game series is a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25. South Africa are presently placed at the fifth place with a point percentage of 38.89, and a successful outing in Bangladesh can significantly boost their push for a top-two finish.
The captain will nevertheless travel to Bangladesh with the side and will continue his recovery under the supervision of the Proteas medical team.
A look back at Temba Bavuma speaking at Captain's Day ahead of CWC 23
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Aiden Markram is all set to captain South Africa in Bavuma’s absence. Young batter Dewald Brevis has been added to the squad as a cover.
In addition, Lungi Ngidi has been named as a replacement for Nandre Burger, who will miss the tour due to a lumbar stress fracture.
Squad:
Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne
South Africa’s tour of Bangladesh begins on 21 October in Mirpur. The next game of the series will be played in Chattogram from October 29- November 02.