Temba Bavuma Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma has suffered another elbow injury. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
In exactly two months, the Proteas will be lining up at Lord’s for the national anthems ahead of the World Test Championship final against Australia.
They will be hoping that their captain Temba Bavuma will be fit enough to lead them into battle in arguably the Proteas’ most important Test since Graeme Smith’s team lifted the golden ICC mace at the same hallowed venue back in 2012.
The concern is certainly growing around Bavuma’s fitness, after the Test skipper played no role in the Lions’ domestic first-class campaign once the Proteas returned from the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan last month.
Bavuma was expected to feature in the last round-robin match before it was washed out in Bloemfontein without a ball being bowled in anger.
Lions chief executive Jonno Leaf-Wright then confirmed to this publication that Bavuma would be available for the showpiece final against the Titans, which was also marred by a wet Wanderers outfield on Thursday that saw play called off without a ball being bowled.
However, Bavuma was forced to withdraw from the final due to his chronic elbow injury flaring up again.
“Temba experienced discomfort in his left elbow during a gym session earlier this week, and, as a precaution, he is being rested for the final,” a Cricket SA spokesperson confirmed on Thursday.
Bavuma’s left elbow injuries have been ongoing since he first fractured it three years ago, which ruled him out of the marquee Test tour to England.
His recuperation period was three months long, before hurting the same elbow during an ODI against Ireland last year in Abu Dhabi, when he dived to make his ground after a streaky single.
The Proteas were once again forced to tour Bangladesh without their skipper, with vice-captain Aiden Markram taking the red-ball leadership reins in addition to his T20 responsibilities.
Despite playing no first-class cricket before the home summer, Bavuma returned to the Test side in spectacular fashion with two centuries, which played a pivotal role in the Proteas securing qualification for the WTC final at Lord’s.
Bavuma last played in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final against New Zealand in Pakistan last month, where he batted with heavy strapping on his elbow.
But he also missed a match during that tournament due to illness.
The Proteas have no official matches lined up before Lord’s, but coach Shukri Conrad will be hoping that they can play a couple of warm-up games in England as part of their preparations for the WTC final.
