Temba Bavuma Ruled Out Of The Boxing Day Test Against England

The South African team have undergone a plethora of changes of late. On the upside, the inclusion of Graeme Smith, Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis, and Charl Langeveldt in their administrative and coaching setup ahead of the home series against England flags positivity. On the other hand, they are being pegged back with injuries to their significant players. After Lungi Ngidi was ruled out of the first Test against the Englishmen, Temba Bavuma joined him in the fray.

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The South African batsman picked up a Grade 1 hip flexor muscle strain, as revealed by the scans. Cricket South Africa’s chief medical officer Shuaib Manjra; however, confirmed that Bvuma would remain with the squad, to begin with his rehabilitation programme and hope to resume playing within seven to ten days.

It is further understood that if a replacement has to be named, it would be picked after the South Africa A and CSA four-day games that are scheduled to take place this weekend. The 29-year old sustained a horror tour of India in which he could manage only 96 runs in three Tests across six innings with a high score of 38. South Africa lost the series by a 3-0 margin.

“A decision on a possible replacement will be made after the South Africa A and CSA Franchise Four-Day matches that are taking place this weekend,” a statement released by CSA as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

South Africa’s first assignment with a revamped coaching staff

This would be the Proteas’ inaugural assignment post the overhaul of their set up at the helm. It embarked with former South African captain Graeme Smith taking over as the director of Cricket South Africa. That followed with Mark Boucher taking over as the head coach, Jacques Kallis as the batting consultant, and Charl Langeveldt as the bowling coach.

Ahead of the four-match Test series against England, the Proteas’ squad includes six uncapped players from their disastrous Test tour to India. For now, they have named the squad only for two Tests. Bavuma is a part of the team that involves call-ups to Pieter Malan, Dane Patterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorious, Beauran Hendricks and Rassie Van Der Dussen. The first Test begins on the 26th of December at the Centurion.

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