Bavuma counting the days
SA BATSMAN: I SHOULD BE READY TO PLAY THIS WEEKEND
He’s hoping he will be in the frame for the Australian series.
It was pure rotten luck for the Proteas that four finger injuries should deplete their batting stocks to such an extent. However, while the absence of AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock has been mourned as South Africa stand on the brink of losing the ODI series to India, spare a thought for Temba Bavuma, whose misfortune has been more severe than the aforementioned trio.
When Bavuma fractured his right ring finger playing for the Cape Cobras in the Momentum One-Day Cup on January 17, he had just scored 65 to prove his form against a strong Knights attack and looked set for a recall to the starting XI for the third Test against India at the Wanderers.
His injury not only took him out of Test contention, but also stymied the possibility of him being one of the fringe players to be looked at during the ODI series.
Bavuma said yesterday he is hopeful he is close to returning, but he knows time is short if he is to push for a place in the Test series against Australia or, looking more long-term, to get into Ottis Gibson’s World Cup plans.
“I’m four weeks into my recovery and I’ll start training this week. I’d like to be playing today, but I should be ready to play for the Cobras this weekend.
“I’d love to be ready for the Australia series because that’s a really big one. March 1 is when the first Test starts, but obviously I’d like some game-time before that.
“Injuries never come at a good time and obviously I was disappointed to miss the ODI series as well. The dream of any player is to play in the World Cup, but a fractured bone can only heal on its own,” Bavuma said at the launch of the CSA Coca-Cola T20 Schools Challenge.
While Bavuma missed out on the first two Tests against India due to Gibson’s preference for a five-man bowling attack, he is hopeful he will not be on the sidelines against Australia.
“It was a tactic of the team that while the bowling unit had the personnel it did, we wanted to maximise that strength. But it depends on the pitch because there’s a lot of firepower in the Australian team as well.
“But we did well while we were in Australia last time on quick wickets, so we have the skill. The only thing I can do is learn how to bowl at 140km/h or make full use of every opportunity I get at the crease. But first I must prove my fitness,” Bavuma said.