After missing the first test of the Bangladesh tour, South Africa Test Captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the second test as he continues to recover from his elbow injury.
In his absence, Aiden Markram led the side and secured a seven-wicket victory in Mirpur and will be retaining the captaincy for the second test also.
Bavuma hasn’t played since he hurt his left elbow as he dived to make his ground during an ODI match against Ireland on October 04. He fractured that elbow during the T20I against India in 2022 at Rajkot and received hyperbaric treatment rather than surgery.
But this time, team management has revealed that he has sustained soft tissue damage.
“We feel that medically he’s not going to be ready for the second Test, and we will tone down the [rehabilitation] programme so that he can be ready for the Sri Lankan series,” Shukri Conrad told a press conference on Friday.
“He’s our best Test batter, so, yes, it’s a setback. But we’ve proven that we can deal with setbacks, and we’ll deal with that as well.”
Dewald Brevis was brought in as a replacement for Bavuma in the squad. The test captain has been criticised for scoring only 2 centuries in 101 innings.
Although Dean Elgar only has more runs for South Africa than Bavuma’s 3102 runs. Among current internationals, only David Bedingham has a higher average of 35.58 than Bavuma’s 35.25. The test captain has more half-centuries than every South African current player.
Conrod wasn’t sure about Bavuma’s return to home immediately. “That’s Temba’s prerogative together with the manager [Khomotso Volvo Masubelele]. I’d like him to stay, and I’ve communicated that to him. He still plays a valuable role – it’s still his team. But I also know that he’s got a young family.”
Leading the series 1-0, South Africa secured fourth position in the WTC points table. The second match of the Bangladesh tests will begin on October 29 at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
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