In a significant development, South Africa red-ball skipper Temba Bavuma is unlikely to be fit for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) 2023–25 final against Australia. The right-handed batter has reportedly an elbow injury, which forced him out of the CSA Four-Day Series Division 1 final.
Temba Bavuma was set to join the Lions squad ahead of their CSA Four-Day Series final against the Titans, scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 10, at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. However, the South African Test captain’s injury elbow niggle flared up just days before the upcoming match.
Temba Bavuma Faces Another Setback With Elbow Injury Ahead of WTC 2025 Final
As per a report in ESPNcricinfo, Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the CSA Four-Day Series final due to a recurring left elbow injury. The Lions were informed of his unavailability late on Wednesday.
On Wednesday morning, captain Dominic Hendricks had spoken to the media, expressing excitement about Bavuma’s participation. This match was expected to be Bavuma’s final appearance of the season. The extent of the injury is still unclear.
“ESPNcricinfo has ascertained Bavuma’s injury is on the left elbow – the same one he has injured before. The Lions are unaware at this stage how serious the injury is and were caught off guard by Bavuma’s late withdrawal,” the report read.
Temba Bavuma Has Struggled With Recurring Injuries
Bavuma has struggled with recurring injuries. His left elbow was first fractured in 2022. That injury ruled him out of South Africa’s tour of England and sidelined him for three months.
The Proteas skipper reinjured the same elbow during an ODI against Ireland in Abu Dhabi after a fall while running between the wickets, causing him to miss the Test series against Bangladesh. He also battled hamstring issues during this period, keeping him out of international cricket for an extended time.
However, Bavuma made a strong return during the home summer, scoring two centuries and three fifties in four Test matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. He also captained South Africa to the semifinals of the Champions Trophy earlier this year.
Temba Bavuma Yet to Return to Competitive Cricket Since Champions Trophy
Temba Bavuma hasn’t played any competitive cricket since the Champions Trophy. He was with the Lions during their last league match in Bloemfontein, which was washed out due to rain, and later traveled to Cape Town. He was expected to rejoin the team for the CSA Four-Day Series final against the Titans.
The WTC 2025 final against Australia is set to begin on June 11. South Africa have two months to prepare for the clash and will start with practice matches from mid-May. Some players are currently busy with IPL 2025, while others are playing county cricket. Bavuma doesn’t have any such commitments.
However, his injury has hampered those plans. The middle-order batter was named in Cricket South Africa’s latest list of centrally contracted players.
