South Africa will have to go it alone without Temba Bavuma when it heads into the T20 Internationals final in Wednesday at Newlands against Australia on Wednesday. Bavuma continues to struggle with a hamstring injury and so far has not participated in any of their matches after he was injured at Centurion in a match against England.
Bavuma, who was first expected only to be out for the opening match against Australia was hoping to return when they mat the Aussies for a second time in Sunday in Port Elizabeth on Sunday. However, he was unable and Reeza Hendricks, his Lions teammate, was brought in to replace him.
Another who has missed multiple matches due to injury is Australia’s Heinrich Klaasen, a wicketkeeper. He has not played for the country since the T20I final against England, a match that saw him walking away with a career-best 69. South Africa, however, has been posting big numbers throughout the tournament, even against England, its rivals and a big part of that success has come from Captain Quinton de Kock and of course, Bavuma and he being out could put the country in peril.
Together, the two have twice had solid performances over 50, and in their match against Australia, de Kock has been able to hold it together even while working without Bavuma. One of those that filled in was Rassie van der Dussen, who played the first match but didn’t end as favourable, the second was With Hendricks, which nailed 60-runs but it mostly came as a result of de Kock.
Proteas Performance Declining
Proteas performance is in decline over the last few matches, and the captain seems unable to find a reason for it after South African lost on Wednesday. To date, the hosts have only been successful outplaying Australia and were down 97 runs in the final T20 International.
This was the second home series loss in this format and in terms on margins for victory, one that only England has experienced/ Speaking on the heavy loss and performance by the Proteas, de Kock said; “To be honest, I’m not too sure. It was just another blowout. It wasn’t good enough doing it twice in one series but we’ve got to have a good look at ourselves and ask some honest questions.
