South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Zimbabwe, with a stand-in captain named.
Bavuma had suffered a left hamstring injury on the field of play, during South Africa’s run-chase in the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s. He soldiered on to eventually put on 147 runs for the third wicket with Aiden Markram, and score 66 as the Proteas chased down 282 to secure their first ICC trophy since 1998.
That injury will now keep him out of South Africa’s next Test assignment, a two-match tour of Zimbabwe. Cricket South Africa have announced that Bavuma “is set to undergo further scans to assess the extent of the injury.”
They have not named a squad replacement for Bavuma, but left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has been announced as the stand-in captain. He will be the 41st player to lead the men’s Test team, and has already captained South Africa in seven ODIs and five T20Is.
The visitors’ squad for the series was announced two weeks ago, and contains five uncapped players including young sensations Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-dre Pretorius.
Zimbabwe: Craig Ervine (c), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Trevor Gwandu, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Wessly Madhevere, Clive Madande, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Kundai Matigimu, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams.
South Africa: Keshav Maharaj (c), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Lesego Senokwane, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kyle Verreynne, Corbin Bosch, Wiaan Mulder, Prenelan Subrayen, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Codi Yusuf.
