Bavuma Ruled Out of Second Test Against Bangladesh
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| Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the second Test against Bangladesh due to an elbow injury. / Getty |
Temba Bavuma, the South African middle-order batter, has been ruled out of the second men's Test against Bangladesh due to an elbow injury. The injury, which he sustained during an ODI against Ireland, has failed to heal sufficiently, prompting his withdrawal from the upcoming Test starting on Tuesday in Chattogram.
Aiden Markram, who led South Africa to a seven-wicket victory in the first Test, will continue as captain. Bavuma has been sidelined since the incident in Abu Dhabi on October 4, and this is not the first time he has suffered from this injury. He previously fractured his elbow in a T20I against India in June 2022, opting for hyperbaric treatment instead of surgery.
This time, Bavuma has sustained soft tissue damage, according to team management. Shukri Conrad, the team's coach, announced at a press conference on Friday that Bavuma would not be ready for the second Test. The team is adjusting his rehabilitation program to ensure his readiness for the Sri Lankan series.
Bavuma's absence is a significant blow to the South African team, as he is their top Test batter. However, South Africa has proven resilient in the face of setbacks, and they plan to handle this one similarly.
Despite criticism for his batting average, Bavuma has been a consistent performer for South Africa since his debut against West Indies in December 2014. Among active players, only David Bedingham's average of 35.58 is higher than Bavuma's 35.25.
Bavuma's role in the team remains significant, and his return home is yet to be determined. He could play in three domestic first-class matches before the first Test against Sri Lanka at Kingsmead, which starts on Nove