South Africa will be without their captain Temba Bavuma for the two warm-up matches they are scheduled to played ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Bavuma has flown home for family reasons.
Aiden Markram will lead South Africa in Bavuma’s absence with the team set to face Afghanistan and New Zealand as part of their warm-up matches on September 29 and October 2 (both in Thiruvananthapuram) respectively.
Also Read: ICC Cricket World Cup Full Squads
Bavuma though will reportedly re-join his teammates in India ahead of their ODI World Cup opener against Sri Lanka in New Delhi on October 7.
The 33-year-old has already had brushes with injuries this month. He picked up a hamstring niggle after the first ODI against Australia during which he scored a century but played in the second and third game.
However, he was rested for the fourth ODI following a thigh muscle strain but was declared fit for the fifth and final match that saw him being dismissed for a duck.
South Africa suffered a big blow when their star pacer Anrich Nortje was ruled out from the tournament due to a suspected stress fracture of the back. Also missing the marquee event is Sisanda Malaga who has a knee injury.
Andile Phehlukwayo and Lizaad Williams were named as their replacements.
The team, led by Bavuma, had landed in India on September 25.
In the lead up to the world cup, South Africa hosted five-time ODI world champions Australia at home for a five-match series.
The Proteas conceded a 0-2 lead but bounced back in style to win the next three on the trot and win series 3-2.
South Africa squad for ODI World Cup: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.
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