Bavuma paints a depressing picture
THE Steve Smith and David Warner absences will hurt Australia in its Test future, according to South African batsman Temba Bavuma.
Australia faces Bangladesh before hosting India on home soil next summer with an unbalanced, new- look side after the chaotic tour of South Africa.
Steve Smith and David Warner are banned for a year while opener Cameron Bancroft was suspended for nine months, after the third Test ball- tampering drama.
Their three new batsmen capitulated in the fourth Test at The Wanderers, collectively making just 12 runs and lasting 41 balls, in response to South Africa’s first innings total of 488.
A fatigued Australian attack looks ready to fly home – perhaps unsurprising after the wild and “draining” week – with more in The Wanderers wicket than their bowling figures suggested.
“They’ve lost people who have played a pivotal role in their success as a team,” Bavuma said.
“That’s probably going to show within the next couple of games as they try to fill the void left by those players.
“They lost their captain and I’d like to think they depend a lot on him, in all aspects of their game.
“In saying that – they’re still a team that has enough firepower and skill to be more than competitive.”
Facing the Proteas’ formidable pace attack at The Bullring, Australia missed its “Bull” David Warner, who was back in Australia facing the music.
Keeper Tim Paine’s worrying right hand is cause for concern moving forward, after he copped a knock after a 122- kilometre delivery from Chadd Sayers.