South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the second Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram, which starts on Tuesday, October 29. He missed the first game in Dhaka owing to an elbow injury and is yet to recover from it. Aiden Markram, who led South Africa to victory in the first Test, will continue leading the team in Bavuma’s absence.
The 34-year-old hasn’t played since hurting his elbow in an ODI match against Ireland earlier in the month. His elbow was fractured in 2022 and the cricketer interestingly opted for hyperbaric treatment rather than surgery. This time around, he has sustained soft tissue damage and is close to making a return but hasn’t been granted by the medical team.
“We feel that medically he’s not going to be ready for the second Test, and we will tone down the (rehabilitation) program so that he can be ready for the Sri Lankan series. He’s our best Test batter, so, yes, it’s a setback. But we’ve proven that we can deal with setbacks, and we’ll deal with that as well,” head coach Shukri Conrad was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
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Do not want Bavuma to return home: Conrad
Meanwhile, Conrad is unsure if Bavuma will return back to South Africa after being ruled out of the second Test. The 57-year-old added that he has asked the Proteas captain to be with the team as he is the leader but will understand if goes back, given that the batter has a young family.
“That’s Temba’s prerogative together with the manager [Khomotso Volvo Masubelele]. I’d like him to stay, and I’ve communicated that to him. He still plays a valuable role – it’s still his team. But I also know that he’s got a young family,” Conrad said.
Meanwhile, South Africa defeated Bangladesh by seven wickets in the first Test. They will try to keep up with the momentum but the hosts are eager to make a strong comeback, especially playing at home.