Bavuma fit to lead Proteas T20 side
Following a disappointing run of injuries, South Africa’s
limited over captain Temba Bavuma is fit to lead the side in their T20 series
against the West Indies.
Bavuma took over the white ball reins when the Proteas restructured their leadership and will be hoping to get his tenure as the national T20 captain off to a positive start tomorrow.
The right-hander picked up a hip injury that ruled him out of the first test match against the West Indies and then dislocated his finger in the lead-up to the second test which ruled him out again.
His Proteas side will be up against one of the world’s most formidable T20 outfits as the West Indies welcome back some of their superstars with the T20 World Cup later this year in mind and Bavuma knows that a series win against them will mean they are moving in the right direction.
“We’ve had many conversations as a side about the type of cricket that we want to play,” Bavuma said on the eve of the first T20 International on Saturday.
“Now we have the opportunity to test that against a strong and experienced T20 outfit.
“The West Indies are an obvious contender when it comes to the T20 World Cup and for us it’s fortunate that we are able to test our skills against their skills.
“It [the T20 series] will give a clearer understanding of the guys who we feel will be able to do what’s needed to be done come the T20 World Cup.
“It’s going to be a good test and give us a good measure as to where we stand in terms of our game.”
The side for the series opener tomorrow hasn’t been confirmed yet, however the leadership structure are not far off making the final decision.
“We will finalise the side for tomorrow after our last training session today (Friday).
“We still want to have a look at the wicket and the weather has been a bit of a concern with some rain over the last couple of days.
“This meant we didn’t have an opportunity to have a look at the wicket,” Bavuma commented.
In some squad changes, Wiaan Mulder will replace Dwaine Pretorius who returned a positive Covid-19 test before departure for the Caribbean.
Beuren Hendricks has also been retained in the T20 squad as cover.
Proteas T20 Squad to the West Indies
Temba Bavuma (captain, Central Gauteng Lions), Quinton de Kock (Northerns), Bjorn Fortuin (Central Gauteng Lions), Beuran Hendricks (Western Province), Reeza Hendricks (Central Gauteng Lions), Heinrich Klaasen (Northerns), George Linde (Western Province), Sisanda Magala (Central Gauteng Lions), Janneman Malan (Boland), Aiden Markram (Northerns), David Miller (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal), Wiaan Mulder (Central Gauteng Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Northerns), Anrich Nortje (Eastern Province), Andile Phehlukwayo (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal), Kagiso Rabada (Central Gauteng Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Northerns), Rassie van der Dussen (Central Gauteng Lions), Kyle Verreynne (Western Province), Lizaad Williams (Northerns).
