Temba Bavuma ruled out of the first T20I against Australia

Injuries to cricketers have become a common occurrence nowadays. A number of top teams in the world today are grappling with the challenge of keeping their players fit. The latest to join the list is South Africa’s in-form batsman Temba Bavuma and Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed the news on Tuesday to say that the diminutive batsman will not be a part of the first match (February 21) of the upcoming three-match T20I series against Australia at home. He, however, will continue to be in the squad.

The 29-year-old Bavuma suffered a hamstring strain while fielding in the third T20I against England in Centurion on Sunday and it is this injury that saw him getting ruled out of the next series. Bavuma was in good form in the series with a couple of 40s and especially the 24-ball 49 in the deciding tie in which England chased down a steep target of 223 in 20 overs with five wickets in hand.

It was the Gauteng batsman’s career-best score in the shortest format. Also in the preceding ODIs against the Three Lions, Bavuma made 98 in Cape Town to help his country win by seven wickets.

South Africa hoping Bavuma’s recovery before Port Elizabeth T20I

CSA further informed over Bavuma’s injury that the recommended time to recovery is between seven to 10 days. The board said the player will remain with the team and receive treatment from the medical staff members as the team expects him to get ready for the second T20I against the Kangaroos in Port Elizabeth on February 23.

No replacement has been sought for Bavuma in the squad which has seen the return of former captain Faf du Plessis. Wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock, who led the Proteas in the ODIs and T20Is against England, will be the captain in the T20I and ODI series against Australia as well.

The first match will be played in Johannesburg while the third will be played in Cape Town on February 26. The three ODIs will be played in Paarl, Bloemfontein and Potchefstroom between February 29 and March 7.

This will be Australia’s first visit to South Africa since the infamous Sandpapergate scandal. Their squad though features both Steve Smith and David Warner, the two experienced players (captain and vice-captain then) who were slapped with a year-long ban. Australia will be led in the series by Aaron Finch.

The last time Australia played a T20I series in South Africa was in 2015-16 when they won 2-1. In the ODIs. the two teams last met on South African soil in 2016-17 and the hosts swept the series 5-0.

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