South Africa v Australia: Temba Bavuma ruled out of Kingsmead Test

The South African team has slumped to defeats against India in the recently concluded T20 and ODI series. However, prior to their abysmal run of form, they managed to comprehensively humble the visitors in the Tests. The African nation will now face Australia in a Test series which starts today at the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban.

However, the Proteas has suffered a body blow ahead of the series as Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the opening game. The batsman missed the Test series against India owing to a fractured figure and is highly unlikely to take part in the game. As per reports in sportskeeda.com, Francois de Plessis, the South African skipper, shared an update on the team combination.

Bavuma-yet to recover

“Bavuma has not recovered from his injury. We are just pondering whether we want to play seven batsmen or six and four seamers.” Du Plessis mentioned. The captain who himself missed the ODI and T20I series against India because of a finger injury said that he has recovered and is ready to hit the field against the Kangaroos.

The Pretoria-born cricketer also opined on the nature of the wicket at Durban ahead of the first Test. “I think the Durban wicket over the last few years has definitely slowed down a bit and that’s just the nature of the square. I expect it will be quite slow, it might take a bit of turn if anything we might see tennis ball bounce.” the captain mentioned.

Australian skipper Steve Smith has iterated that they will their victorious playing XI that beat England in the fifth and final Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Meanwhile, South Africa is struggling to get their combination right and would be hoping to field their best team against the might of the Kangaroos.

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